Tompkins County 9-1-1 Dispatchers Honored During NPSTW 2026
Published on April 10, 2026
The Department of Emergency Response (DoER) will mark the second full week of April (April 12-18) as National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Sponsored by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and observed annually, NPSTW honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance.
In Tompkins County, staff at the Emergency Communications Center in 2025 handled 38,754 emergency calls, and nearly 107,000 non-emergency calls, including quality of life, parking, and noise complaints. All law enforcement, fire and EMS departments within the County are dispatched through the ECC.
Michael Stitley, Director of Emergency Response, said “It’s so vitally important to recognize our 9-1-1 dispatchers for their hard work and dedication throughout the year in keeping our communities safe. NPSTW allows us to celebrate and thank them for serving the public as true first responders.”
“The devotion and commitment of these dedicated professionals are immeasurable,” added John Halaychik, DoER Assistant Director - 9-1-1, citing the fatal fire in Dryden April 1st as a prime example. “Under adverse circumstances, the cohesiveness of our dispatchers on duty that day demonstrated their professionalism and skill in handling an unfolding tragedy while making every effort to protect lives of first responders and those souls lost.”
The Department of Emergency Response will hold its annual awards ceremony, highlighted by the Dispatcher of the Year Award, on April 17th.