Often the first voice heard during an emergency, Walker County’s 911 dispatchers play a vital role in helping residents during times of crisis. Now the community has an opportunity to recognize their work through a new appreciation initiative.
Walker County Government is inviting residents, businesses, and civic groups to participate in an “Adopt a Dispatcher” program ahead of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, which will be observed April 12–18.
The program allows community members to sign up online to be matched with a member of the Walker County E-911 team. Participants who adopt a dispatcher will receive basic information about their assigned telecommunicator to help inspire messages of appreciation. Gestures can include handwritten notes, drawings, or small tokens of thanks.
Those items will be collected and shared with dispatchers during Telecommunicators Week as a way of showing community support for the professionals who work behind the scenes coordinating emergency response.
“Our dispatchers are vital members of the public safety team, connecting those in need with law enforcement, fire, and medical assistance around the clock,” said Curtis Creekmur, director of E-911. “Their work often goes unseen, but their impact is felt by every resident who calls for help.”
National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is observed each year to honor the commitment and sacrifice of emergency communications professionals across the country.
Residents interested in participating can complete the Adopt a Dispatcher form on the county’s website or request information by email. The deadline to sign up and submit tokens of appreciation is April 6, 2026.