The City of Laredo 9-1-1 Regional Office hosted the Proclamation of National Telecommunicators Week to honor unseen heroes in continuous public service, particularly those who calls regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, February’s winter storm, and rises in domestic violence.
During and after the impact of the unprecedented winter storm, 9-1-1 dispatchers answered over 16,000 phone calls over three days.
Amanda Tienda, program manager for 9-1-1, said the community is encouraged to learn about the vital role of the telecommunication professionals.
A six-year veteran of the department, Tienda manages 40 City of Laredo employees and another 40 throughout the South Texas Region that includes Webb, Zapata, Jim Hogg, and Starr counties. The 80 include officers of the Laredo Police Department, the Webb County Sheriff’s office, Jim Hogg County Sheriff’s office, Zapata County Sheriff’s office, Starr County Sheriff’s office, Roma Police Department, and Rio Grande City Police Department.
“They take 200,000 calls over the year. They adapted to the intense volume of the February storm calls and continued with the same reliable effort. They very much deserve recognition,” she said.
“They are in the background, but the service of 9-1-1 responders is a constant, vital necessity because people’s lives hang in the balance. I appreciate the team effort of the staff of the regional office,” said Homero Vasquez-García, director of the City’s Information Services and Telecommunications Department.
The proclamation was made this morning in City Hall Council Chambers by Mayor Pete Saenz. Attendees included city management, IST department representatives, 9-1-1 regional administration staff, and others.
