By HEATHER RUPPE
Those on the front lines of all Colleton County emergencies are being honored this week.
This week is national “911 Dispatcher Appreciation Week,” a time for dispatchers to be honored for their part in helping to save those in need.
In Colleton, businesses are donating food for the dispatchers to have free lunches.
The appreciation week began on April 10th and continues through April 16th. The donated items thus far include energy teas that were given to emergency dispatchers on Tuesday during their shifts; the teas were donated by Lowcountry Nutrition. On Wednesday, Dunkin’ Donuts donated three-dozen donuts and Castillos donated four pizzas on Thursday. On Friday, dispatchers will receive breakfast from Burger King and cookies as a snack from Amy Cakes.
“Dispatcher Appreciation Week is a week that we say “Thank You” to that special team that sits ready 24/7 to launch life-saving services. A lifeline to firefighters, police officers, and emergency medical personnel, 911 dispatchers are critical members of the CCSO team,” said Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill. “In every emergency, they are the calm voice on the other end of the telephone that lets citizens know they’re not alone and help is on the way. The service they provide is invaluable, they are the key that unlocks every emergency service in the county, but few know who they are.
“On behalf of CCSO, I would like to thank all of our wonderful dispatchers, our unsung heroes of public safety,” said Hill.
