The Murfreesboro Police Department's Communication Center honored local public safety Telecommunicators, the "first" first responders, last week in honor of National Telecommunicators Week. National Emergency Telecommunications Week was started in 1981 to put a special focus on public safety telecommunications professionals for their contributions to the safety and security of communities around the world.

To honor the Department's Telecomunicators, the Murfreesboro Police Department and Murfreesboro Fire and Rescue Department held a ceremony in the MPD/MFRD Communications Center. Mayor Shane McFarland and Councilmember Madelyn Scales Harris presented a proclamation to Police and Fire officials. Mayor McFarland stated: "You're the front line in getting people help when they call 911. You get police and emergency responders where they need to go in a calm manner. I am proud of all the 'first' first responders."

Chief of Police Glenn Chrisman stated: "This Communications Center answered over 44,000 9-1-1 calls in 2014, making this the busiest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) in Rutherford County. Furthermore, Dispatchers answered 247,982 telephone calls, dispatching Police Officers or Firefighters to a call over 100,000 times. We are very proud of the work they do here every day."

Communications Supervisor Lindsay Callahan was also recognized at the ceremony for being awarded the "Dispatcher of the Year Award". Callahan was chosen in part because "she does a wonderful job at anticipating the unexpected and takes a great amount of pride in her work, serving as a role model for others." She was also recognized at the annual Telecommunicator of the Year awards ceremony hosted by the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District.