April 14, 2025

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Salt Lake City is honoring the local dedicated professionals who serve as the link between people in crisis and the help they need. From April 13–19, Salt Lake City joins communities across the country in recognizing National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.

“Every emergency response in our city starts with a voice on the other end of the line—and that voice makes all the difference,” said Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “Our dispatchers are calm in chaos, steady in crisis, and deeply committed to the people they serve. Salt Lake City is safer because of their work, and I’m profoundly grateful for the personal care they bring to every call.”

The City’s 911 Bureau, which serves both Salt Lake City and Sandy, includes 61 dispatchers, eight supervisors, and six administrators. In 2024 alone, they answered 653,018 calls and assisted in the delivery of four babies. 

“Our dispatchers are the calm in the storm for so many in our community,” said Lisa Kehoe, Director of SLC 911. “Every call they answer is an opportunity to help someone in need, and they take that responsibility to heart. I’m incredibly proud of the compassion, professionalism, and pride our team brings to this vital work every single day. They are the unseen lifeline behind every emergency response, and their commitment to serving this community is nothing short of heroic.”

In 2024, SLC 911 was recognized by the Utah Association of Public Safety Communications Officials for handling the Sandhurst Fire in July 2024. Kehoe was also awarded 2024 Director of the Year by the National Emergency Number Association Utah Chapter.

This week, SLC 911 is excited to kick off the use of a new wellness-focused software, called Mindbase, that serves first responders. It provides real-time support, peer connection, and proactive mental health tools to help reduce burnout, improve resilience, and address trauma. Its features include anonymous check-ins, access to mental health resources, self-assessments, and insights to help leadership track and support team well-being.

Throughout the week, Salt Lake City will highlight dispatchers on social media, celebrating the faces and voices behind this essential public service.

Help Dispatch Help You

When the public calls 911 or a non-emergency line, here are some key tips from dispatchers:

• Location: The first piece of information callers should share is their location–where they are currently located.
• Stay on the line: If you accidentally call 911, please stay on the line and let the dispatcher know it was a mistake. If you hang up, they are required to call back and/or visit your location to ensure you’re okay.