In many cases, our local 911 dispatchers symbolize all these things as the assurance that someone is always there for you as an officer in times of most need.

Mark Maldonado, Theresa Galindo, Jackie Rankin, Danielle McGavin, Sonia Lopez, Ernesto Crowder, Rodolfo Chuey and Martin Cantu are the exemplary public safety men and women who answer emergency calls and dispatch emergency professionals to the scene in times of crisis.

The Eagle Pass Police/Fire Dispatch Center dispatches for the police, fire and EMS for the City of Eagle Pass and the County of Maverick.

Eagle Pass Police Chief Albert Guajardo recounted an incident in which fire was exchanged in a situation where he felt that the work of the dispatcher was the key to going home to his family on that night.

"What I remember the most were the quick actions of our dispatchers, we had a direct link as far as USBP were concerned.  What impressed me the most was the attention to detail our dispatchers showed in that emergency situation, that ladies and gentlemen, is what they do on a daily basis, they are the ones who dispatch emergency vehicles and emergency units 24-7."

"Hearing that voice on the other end of the line in times of distress," added Mayor Cantu, "We have an excellent dispatch team in the City of Eagle Pass."

"The Telecommunicators of the EPPD are the unsung heroes of our community," stated Lieutenant Alejandro Guedea, "They must multi-task, have patience, knowledge of all the streets and neighborhoods of Eagle Pass andd the County of Maverick, emergency numbers, knowledge of city laws and ordinances, I can go on and on."

Guedea added that our dispatchers answered an estimated 45-50,000 phone calls in 2013 of which 20-25,000 were 9-1-1 calls.  The Dispatch Center receives and sends 2,250,000 or more transmissions per year.

"They do an excellent job of taking care of our uniformed officers out on the street.  Keep up the good work," added Lieutenant Aldo Escamilla.

So next time you hear the name of our hometown of "Eagle Pass" remember our brothers and sisters who are busy manning the radios at the EPPD Telecommunications Center who work to keep us safe day in and day out.