WAKAW — National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week was recognized and observed in Canada and the United States during the second full week of April.
This week, April 12-18 this year, was set aside to honour those who work as the first in the vital link in emergencies, the 9-1-1 operators, the first voice of calm in an emergency, the people behind the headsets that are often not seen.
These professionals are recognized for their composure and dedication in the vital role they play in public safety. Also recognized during this week were the dispatchers and technicians who help keep people safe across the province.
In Saskatchewan, trained professional 9-1-1 staff work from centres in Regina, Saskatoon and near Prince Albert. These telecommunicators answered more than 555,000 calls in 2025. Additionally, individual police, EMS and fire services also have telecommunicators that take thousands of calls in their emergency response centres.
The Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) provides dispatching and monitoring services across the province. They work closely with volunteer and professional first responders, as well as provincial and municipal partners, to support safety, protection and emergency response.
“One of the hardest parts is that they are going through that emergency with the caller. They are feeling those emotions.” As a dispatcher, they need to compartmentalize those emotions and provide the assistance the caller needs while also collecting as much information as they can to pass along to the emergency services being dispatched.
Saskatchewan RCMP: “They’re the ones who answer the call during an emergency with a calm, reassuring voice. They adapt in a moment’s notice and provide direction and support in times of need. The ones who work incredibly hard behind the scenes to keep Saskatchewan communities and RCMP officers safe.”
In 2025, Corrections, Policing and Public Safety Minister Tim McLeod said, “They ensure that the information you provide during a 9-1-1 call is accurately relayed to the emergency personnel who are coming to your aid. We recognize and appreciate their vital role in keeping our citizens safe.”
Operators keep callers calm during emergencies to gather as much information as possible and help ensure both public and officer safety. Behind every call for help is a dispatcher making a difference.
The reality is that a telecommunications operator will be exposed to emotionally and mentally challenging situations, to traumatic, violent and disturbing events, and be exposed to multiple screens, lights and noise disturbances for extended periods of time.
If a role as an RCMP telecommunications operator position is of interest, individuals must be Canadian citizens or have permanent status in Canada, be proficient in English, and be proficient in French if the position is bilingual.
Also required is a Canadian high school diploma or equivalent, not having a criminal record and being three years clear of any illegal activity, meeting RCMP psychological and health standards, including vision and hearing, and being willing to work shift work, including weekends and holidays, out of one of the RCMP’s communication centres. Other requirements include the ability to type 40 words per minute, having completed a Canadian police call-taking and dispatching training program, and having a minimum of two years of experience as a telecommunications operator, within the last five years.
