The NPSTW has witnessed quite a few introductions in its relatively short history. Although originally developed by Patricia Anderson of the Contra Costa County (Calif.) Sheriff’s Office in the early 1980s, the NPSTW was thereafter redesigned as the “National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week” by Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) a decade later in 1991.
However, it didn’t end there, since, according to Congressional procedure, it was re-introduced twice more in 1993 and 1994. It was at that time that it became a much more permanent regular fixture and no longer needed an annual introduction – it just happened. However, the name was modified slightly to “International Public-Safety Telecommunciator’s Week.”
Congress also established a resolution stating that there were over 500,000 telecommunications specialists.” Other estimates put this number to more than 200,000. Even though one does not need the NTW to honor their public safety dispatchers for their excellent works, this time during April is a perfect opportunity to do just that, on a yearly basis.