MISSOURI STATE HIGHWAY PATROL
A Division Of The
Department of Public Safety
Public Information and Education Division - PO Box 568 - Jefferson City, MO 65102

NEWS RELEASE

For further information please contact: Chief Training Operator
Q040411 Roger D. Martin
(573) 526-1212

April 4, 2011
EMPHASIS: National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

Colonel Ron Replogle, superintendent of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, would like to inform the public that National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is April 10- 16, 2011. The Association of Public Safety Communications Officers (APCO) International, sponsors of this event annually, honors the thousands of men and women who respond to emergency calls, dispatch emergency professionals and equipment, and render life-saving assistance to citizens.

In 1937, the Missouri Legislature approved plans to create six troop locations and radio stations around the state. It further approved the hire of sufficient radio personnel to man these stations. By the time those six buildings were operational, 15 radio operators were ready to begin the task of providing communications across the state. Today, 154 Patrol communications operators and telecommunicators are assigned to the nine troop locations. They man the Patrol’s business lines, highway emergency lines, and radio systems 24 hours a day/7 days a week. These professionals are the first contact for citizens in, and traveling through, our state who need routine or emergency services provided by the Patrol. They man the crucial radio communications network for Patrol troopers responding to highway emergencies and form a statewide communications backbone during natural disasters or other catastrophic events.

“The Patrol is proud of our communications employees,” said Colonel Replogle. “They are dedicated professionals whose tireless support of emergency responders provide critical services to the citizens of our state. We join APCO International in recognizing Patrol and public safety communications professionals throughout the state.”

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