18-04-2025
When chaos erupts, they answer — East Alabama honors unseen heroes behind 911
OPELIKA, AL (WRBL) – It's the kind of call no one ever wants to make — but when they do, someone always answers.
This week, during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, 911 dispatchers across the country are getting a moment in the spotlight. They are the calm in the storm, the steady voice guiding people through their worst moments — and in Opelika, they're being recognized for exactly that.
'We've got a huge sign above the window that says, 'Our best begins here' — and that's truly how we feel,' said Chief Shane Healey of the Opelika Police Department. 'They're the first ones to get that 911 call when people are desperate. It's their worst day ever, and our dispatchers, our communication operators, are taking those calls and setting us up — as police — for success when we respond.'
The chief says this week is all about gratitude — showering dispatchers with thank-you cards, small gifts, and well-deserved recognition.
Healey also wants the public to understand what it takes to do this work: a strong mind, a steady hand, and a heart big enough to absorb someone else's emergency without falling apart.
Nearly 240 million calls are made to 911 each year in the U.S., according to the National Emergency Number Association. Behind each of those calls is a dispatcher who stays on the line — listening, guiding, and coordinating help.
Chief Healey says the Opelika Police Department couldn't function without the first of the first responders. He reminds the public it takes incredible mental strength and clarity to stay calm and effective under extreme pressure — every single day.
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