National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week Recognizes Michigan's Emergency Telecommunicators

The State 911 Committee (SNC) is recognizing Michigan telecommunicators and their vital contributions to public safety during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week April 12-18. In Michigan, the SNC is privileged to honor those who serve in this important role in our state.

“National Telecommunicators Week is our opportunity to shine a light on the unseen heroes of public safety,” stated Ms. Amy Magirl, State 911 Administrator. “Every day, telecommunicators are the first to respond, long before help arrives on scene. They are problem-solvers, calm voices, and the critical link between those in need and those who can help. Their work demands quick thinking, empathy, and resilience, and they deliver without hesitation. This week, and every week, we recognize their professionalism and thank them for the vital role they play in saving lives and protecting communities.”

In Michigan, 911 centers serve as the primary point for dispatching police, fire, and EMS responses. In addition to answering and dispatching emergency calls, telecommunicators also provide pre-arrival instructions for police, fire and medical calls, activate weather alerts, coordinate additional incident scene response such as medical examiners, child protective services, hospitals, road commission, utility and public works department notifications, callouts for specialized response teams such as search and rescue, SWAT, negotiating teams, and hazmat response teams.

Telecommunicators receive calls through many different 911 dialing systems including wireless, land-line telephones, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), smart devices, and text messages.

The Chair of the SNC, Mr. Jeff Troyer, stated, “The men and women who calmly answer voice calls and text messages for help are unique, devoted, and exceptional individuals.  The tasks these leaders perform every day save lives and preserve calmness during the most challenging times. April 12–18 is dedicated to those who choose and embrace this profession. Please join me in thanking and commending the public safety telecommunicators throughout the state of Michigan who consistently safeguard lives with compassion.”

The SNC was established in accordance with Public Act 79 of 1999. It is a 21-member organization that works to promote the successful development, implementation, and operation of 911 systems across Michigan.

Quick Facts about 911:

• On February 16, 1968, Alabama Speaker of the House, Mr. Rankin Fite, made the first 911 call from the Haleyville City Hall.
• Today there are 129 primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) in Michigan.
• According to the SNC’s 2025 Annual Report to the Michigan Legislature, of the counties and service districts that reported, telecommunicators in Michigan answered: 5,713,035 calls to 911; 50,095 texts to 911; and 6,716,097 calls from non-emergency 911 lines.
• There are more than 2,400 telecommunicators in Michigan.
• Certified 911 telecommunicators in Michigan must complete at least 80 hours of basic and advanced dispatch training within their first 24 months of employment, maintain continuing education requirements by participating in approved courses and accumulate at least 24 hours of continuing education every 24 months.
• Michigan currently has 82 counties converted to an IP-based service, which allows for more advanced Next-Generation 911 call handling. One county is working through the process.
• All of Michigan has deployed text to 911.