From a young age we are taught 911 is the first number you call in an emergency, and that when you call, help will come. We often hear from youngsters as they try out this new piece of knowledge to see if it really works – only for them to quickly hang up when someone answers the call. When the police arrive, mom or dad quickly learn their child was verifying what they had learned.
In honor of Telecommunications Week (April 9 -15), I would like to highlight the friendly and calm voice on the other end of the line when a crisis is occurring. Our Communication Center serves all of Boerne, Kendall County, and Fair Oaks Ranch from their four stations located at the Boerne Police Department. They are staffed by 16 dispatchers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Our telecommunications operators not only answer 911 calls, but they also dispatch for all law enforcement agencies including Texas DPS, Kendall County Constables, seven different fire departments, Kendall County EMS, Boerne Animal Care Services, and even our local Game Warden. They also take non-emergency calls and all calls to the city departments during non-business hours. Over the last four years, telecommunications professionals have averaged more than 63,700 calls for service a year.
