‘National Telecommunicators Week’ recognizes 911 dispatchers [Video]

It’s a tough job that can be pretty unpredictable. This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. It’s a time to honor and recognize 911 professionals who take the initial calls during times of crime, chaos and crisis.”A lot of people don’t think about us when it comes to first responders,” said Forsyth County telecommunicator Jacqueline Nunez.It’s a job that goes far beyond just answering the phone.”We like to consider ourselves the first first responders,” said Forsyth County lead shift operator Haley Epperson. “Because we always hear what’s going on first.”911 telecommunicators often hear some of the worst panic people will ever face.”A lot of it is separating work from home,” Epperson said. “A lot of your more difficult calls are your people in extreme panic.””I think not knowing the aftermath — that’s a little hard,” Nunez said. “Because you’re not out there to see what’s going on.”While dispatchers aren’t …