TULSA, Okla. — National Telecommunicators Week is a time to honor 911 dispatchers and the work they do to keep people safe.
Operators at theSkiatook Police Department respond to calls about self-harm or domestic violence. They answer calls from the community and make all the difference for countless people.
Tiarr Wakefield is a dispatcher for the Skiatook Police Department.
"We stay on the phone and keep talking to them try and keep their mind off it keep them as calm as possible, so they have somebody even if it's just a voice to talk to."
She told 2 News dispatchers handle multiple emotional conversations at once. "There's people who call who don't want to be here anymore," said Wakefield.
WATCH: More of our conversation with Skiatook dispatchers:
Soon, they'll have anew and better facility to work. It's all thanks to a 1% sales tax to generate over a million dollars to help fund a new building.
It will have updated technology to help them operate more efficiently. The building will also be storm-proof to protect the operators during weather emergencies.
James Annas, the Skiatook Fire Chief, is looking forward to that new building.
The Skiatook Police Department told 2 News the new building is set to be the biggest project in the city's history.
"It's going to fundamentally change the way Skiatook is going to respond to accidents and injuries, crimes and fires, medical emergencies,” said Annas.
Wakefield told 2 News despite dealing with violence and tragedy in her work daily, there are plenty of shining moments.
"You feel like you're doing something, you're helping something, and when you do get the end of the story, and it's a good one, it makes you feel good," said Wakefield.
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