Bilingual dispatchers help Hall County Emergency Center to respond more effectively
Everyone knows what number to dial when there’s an emergency. <br/><br/>But who is it on the other line?
By News Channel NebraskaGRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- Everyone knows what number to dial when there’s an emergency.
But who is it on the other line?
“This is where the help starts, this is where the rescue begins and this is where the mission to assist people in their emergency begins,” said Rosenlund.
Hall County Emergency Management Director Jon Rosenlund says dispatchers play an integral part in public safety. He says they receive around 90 9-1-1 calls per day, totaling around 75,000 calls every year.
Dispatchers go through rigorous training to handle the calls and calmly provide aid to people in need. The scenarios they encounter range from accidents, to walking people through CPR, to talking someone through delivering a baby. And, there's no guarantee the person calling speaks English.
“I always wanted to pursue something in law-enforcement and so this was a great opportunity,” Sanchez said.
Mariola Sanchez has worked at the 9-1-1 Center for almost six years. She’s one of the dispatchers that’s able to communicate in English and Spanish.
“It makes me feel great just knowing I can help people in two different languages…just helping others when they need the most help we’re always there to calm them down,” Sanchez said.
The center always tries to have a Spanish speaker on duty. It's something Rosenlund said is of tremendous help, since it eliminates the delay that comes with a translator.
“It’s a bonus when we have some that are truly a great bilingua,l and then can operate effectively and quickly in Spanish as well as English,” said Rosenlund.
The center has a contract with a language line for 24-hour service. According to Rosenlund, Hall County has used translators in as many as 15 different languages.
“The community can be proud of the people that work here in the 9-1-1 center," Rosenlund said. "It is a tough job and it requires a lot of sacrifice. It requires a lot of personal sacrifice on the dispatchers part, but they’re good at what they do."