Daytona Beach, FL – Responding to newly released research on 9-1-1 telecommunicators and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) published in the Journal of Traumatic Stress, Gregg Riddle, president of APCO International, the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals, released the following statement commending the work of research leader Dr. Michelle Lilly, Northern Illinois University psychologist, and her team:

“First responders including firefighters, police, sheriffs and EMS workers are faced with managing the emotional distress of traumatic events every day, but members of the public safety community that are greatly affected by these situations go beyond those that are present on the scene. For many years, APCO International members have experienced these pressures first-hand at their 9-1-1 call centers, where telecommunicators and dispatchers play an important, challenging role in efficiently and effectively handling time-sensitive crises every single day.

“We look forward to reviewing Dr. Lilly’s report in detail, but we commend the researchers for examining the effects of traumatic scenarios on emergency dispatchers and emphasizing the importance of providing these workers with prevention and intervention support. Helping the entire public safety community manage emotional distress that can lead to PTSD symptoms is critical; the jobs that our first responders and 911 dispatchers alike perform are invaluable for keeping Americans safe.”

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 About APCO International™ (www.apcointl.org)

APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals.  It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.