April 12-18, 2026 marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, and the City of Richmond is recognizing the dedicated professionals within the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response (DECPR) who serve as the critical link between the community and emergency response. 

DECPR answers and dispatches all 911 and public safety non-emergency calls for the city of Richmond. The department also provides and supports the public safety infrastructure for the city through its Technology division and the Office of Emergency Management. As one of the busiest emergency communications centers in Virgina, emergency communications officers in the department answer more than 450,000 calls for service yearly. 

As the first point of contact in emergencies, Emergency Communications Officers play a vital role in protecting the safety and well-being of the community. Their work requires extensive training, critical thinking, and the ability to make split-second decisions that can save lives. 

“The work our Emergency Communications Officers do is demanding in ways that aren’t always visible,” said Stephen Willoughby, Director of the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response. “They carry the responsibility of guiding people through some of the most critical moments of their lives, and it requires a level of strength and dedication that we are deeply grateful for.” 

While National Public Safety Telecommunicators week highlights the vital role of 911 professionals behind the scenes of emergency response, the City of Richmond also recognizes the dedicated technology professionals from DECPR’s technology division and radio shop. These teams provide critical services to help ensure that the systems that support the city’s emergency response capabilities remain reliable and operational at all times. 

“When someone in our city calls for help, they should feel confident there is an entire team of professionals working behind the scenes to ensure they get the help they need, when they need it most,” Mayor Danny Avula said in a statement. “I want to thank the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and response for the work they do 24/7 to keep our community safe and connected.”