April is 9-1-1 Education and Appreciation Month!

Each April is an opportunity to do two important things: help the public better understand how and when to use 9-1-1, and recognize the public safety telecommunicators who answer those calls every hour of every day. National 9-1-1 Education Month focuses on improving public awareness of the emergency communications system, and April also includes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which honors the professionals behind the headset.

When someone in La Crosse County calls or texts 9-1-1, the first person they reach is a trained Public Safety Telecommunicator. That telecommunicator gathers critical information, keeps the caller calm, provides lifesaving instructions when needed, and coordinates the police, fire, or EMS response. While responders are sent to the scene, telecommunicators continue managing information, updating units, and helping move the incident safely and efficiently toward resolution. Your own site already emphasizes that this service operates around the clock and connects every person to the right help quickly, accurately, and compassionately.

Public education matters because 9-1-1 works best when it is used appropriately. Calling 9-1-1 for true emergencies, staying on the line, knowing your location, and answering questions clearly all help responders get where they need to go faster. For situations that are not emergencies, residents should use the appropriate non-emergency numbers when possible. Your 911 Tips page provides the detailed guidance, including what happens when you call, what to do if you accidentally dial, how Text-to-9-1-1 works in La Crosse County, and accessibility and language options.

This month is also a good reminder that the work of 9-1-1 professionals is often unseen by the public. Telecommunicators are the calm voice in moments of panic, the link between the caller and responders, and a critical part of the public safety system. La Crosse County Public Safety Communications is proud to recognize the skill, professionalism, and commitment of the telecommunicators who serve our community 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

To learn more about when to call 9-1-1, what to expect when you call, and how to use Text-to-9-1-1, please visit our 9-1-1 Tips page. To learn more about how 9-1-1 service developed nationally and in La Crosse County, visit our History of 911 page.