Terrorist attacks fall on National 9-1-1 Day
The Association of Public Safety Officials–International voiced its support for the public safety workers, both on the streets and in the communications centers in the areas affected by the unprecedented attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, according to a statment released on Sept. 11.
“We know these amazing public safety professionals are facing a nightmare,” said APCO President Glen Nash. “They are working under the most horrible conditions, trying to provide the best service possible to the citizens of these cities, even while they know some of their colleagues may have been injured or killed at the scenes of these attacks.
“Our association’s members are the telecommunications workers behind the scenes of public safety, answering the thousands of 9-1-1 call pouring into communications centers, coordinating responding firefighters, EMS workers and law enforcements officers and finding additional support for both those responders and the citizens in their areas. They work through crises big and small, remaining on duty when other people are rushing home to care for their families and loved ones. Our hearts go out to all of them and to the families of those killed in these monstrous attacks.”
The attacks coincided with the start of National 9-1-1 Day, a day set aside to recognize the importance of 9-1-1 and its ability to help save lives and to increase the public’s confidence of local emergency response systems. National 9-1-1 Day was established in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan.