Public Safety Director's Spotlight - Recognizing Public Safety Dispatchers and Telecommunicators

 

Recognizing Public Safety Dispatchers and Telecommunicators

Each year, the second full week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators.  Each day, thousands of Americans dial 9-1-1 for help in emergencies ranging from house fires and automobile accidents to heart attacks and child poisonings. The professionals who answer these calls for help, gathering key information and sending the appropriate assistance, can often make the difference between life and death for persons in need.  The 9-1-1 dispatchers are among the more than 500,000 dedicated telecommunications specialists who work daily on the Federal, state and local levels to protect and promote public safety.  Because emergencies can strike at any time, we depend on the vigilance and the preparedness of these individuals 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.  Our great nation enjoys the highest standards of public health and safety in the world, and we owe a great debt to these individuals who help make that achievement possible.  Please join me in saluting all the emergency dispatchers and other communications specialists for their work, dedication and professionalism.

Upcoming Events

April 11 – City Schools 101, Bishop DuBourg High School Cafeteria, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Back by popular demand, City Schools 101 will be offered again this Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the cafeteria at Bishop DuBourg High School, 5850 Eichelberger in the St. Louis Hills neighborhood.  Soon-to-be parents or parents of children ages 3 to 18 will be able to hear from St. Louis public, magnet, charter and parochial schools and get answers to questions about how and when to enroll and more.  To learn more, visit the Southampton Neighborhood Association Facebook page.

April 11 – Prayer Walk, St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Avenue, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Walkers of all age groups and all denominations are invited to meet at St. Paul AME Church, 1260 Hamilton Avenue in the Fountain Park neighborhood, for the Walking in the Spirit Prayer Walk this Saturday.  The ecumenical walk will step off at 8:30 a.m. and proceed to 3030 N. Grand (7.3 miles).  There will be stops along the route where walkers will receive snacks and water.  During this time of unity and fellowship, participants will walk and pray for the City of St. Louis.  The walk is sponsored by The Missouri Conference of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in conjunction with the AME 5^th District Prayer Commission.  Questions?  Contact Rev. Christine Stancil at cpennstancil@gmail.com.

April 11 – Trivia Night, The ParksBuilding, 2720 N. 14^th Street, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The North City Farmers' Market & 13^th Street Community Garden Trivia Night will take place this Saturday at The Parks Building, 2720 N. 14^th Street.  Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. and Trivia will start at 7 p.m.  The cost is $160 for a table of 8 or $20 per individual.  You may find all the details at www.onsl.org/trivia-night .

April 11 & 12 – Go! St. Louis Marathon & Family Fitness Weekend, Downtown, times vary

Missouri's premiere family fitness festival will take place this Saturday and Sunday in Downtown St. Louis.  The Go! St. Louis weekend event will feature a marathon, half marathon, marathon relay, 5K run/walk, children's fun runs, mature mile and fitness expo.  To learn more, call (314) 727-0800 or visit the gostlouis.org web site.

April 11 – Czech Festival, American-CzechCenter, 4690 Lansdowne Avenue, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Everyone is invited to check out the Czech Festival this Saturday at the American-Czech Center, 4690 Lansdowne Avenue in the Bevo Mill neighborhood.  The festival will feature all things Czech – from food and music to the Boutique and beer.  Admission and parking are free.  Need more information?  Call (314) 752-8168 or visit the acec-stl.org web site.

April 11 – Tower Grove Farmers' Market Starts, TowerGrovePark, 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The start of Tower Grove Farmers' Market's 10^th season will be this Saturday.  This season the market will have close to 60 vendors at the peak, free yoga, QiGong, and live music will return.  Invite your family and friends to join you as the market kicks off its 10^th year.  For more information, visit the tgmarket.org web site.

April 11 & 12 – Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council 60^th Annual Show and Sale, Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Boulevard, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Metropolitan St. Louis African Violet Council will hold its 60^th Annual Show and Sale this Saturday and Sunday at the Missouri Botanical Garden.  Visitors will see horticulture-design exhibits, receive educational information, and be able to purchase supplies and African Violets.  Invite your family and friends to join you for this Diamond Jubilee Show.  Call (314) 368-7339 for more information.

April 11 – St. Louis and the Great Fire of 1849, The Sappington House, 10155 Sappington Road, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.

Calling all fire service trivia buffs!  The St. Louis History Museum in conjunction with the City of Crestwood will present a program this Saturday reliving the harrowing night of St. Louis' Great Fire of 1849.  Guests will learn about the causes and effects of this devastating tragedy on our hometown and about the history and the bravery of the many volunteer firemen who fought the blaze as well as how the city was saved from utter destruction.  The free event will begin at 1 p.m. on the Sappington House Grounds in Crestwood.  For more information, visit the cityofcrestwood.org web site.

April 13 – Hospitality Job Fair, SLATE, 1520 Market Street, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The St. Louis Agency on Training and Employment (SLATE) American Job Center will conduct a recruitment event on Monday, April 13 for individuals interested in employment opportunities in hospitality.  Multiple immediate openings are available for local hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues.  The Job Fair is free, but candidates must register with SLATE prior to the event.  For more information, call (314) 657-3500.

April 13 – St. Louis Cardinals Home Opening Day events, Downtown, 10 a.m.

The St. Louis Cardinals 2015 home opener game will be played on Monday, April 13 at Busch Stadium, with the first pitch at 3:15 p.m.  Pep Rallies will start at 10 a.m. at several Downtown locations including Kiener Plaza at 7^th and Chestnut, J Bucks at 10^th and Clark, outside Busch Stadium on Clark between Broadway and 8^th, the Tums Lot on Broadway and at Ballpark Village.  Watch the media outlets for announcements of the final details on these rallies.  You may also visit stlouiscardinals.com for more information.

Save the Date

April 17 – Harris-Stowe Presidential Installation Ceremony, Harris-Stowe State University, 3026 Laclede Avenue, 10 a.m. to Noon

April 17 & 18 – Book Fair, Lafayette Park United Methodist Church, 2300 Lafayette Avenue, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 18 – Business Opportunities Showcase, St. Anthony of Padua Meeting Hall, 3133 Meramec, 9 a.m. to Noon

April 18 – Lung Cancer Connection Annual 5K, Chesterfield Amphitheater, 9 a.m.

April 18 – VerbQuake Spring Tournament Team Championship, UrbArts, 2600 N. 14^th Street, 3 p.m.

April 19 – Wurstmarkt &Pretzel-fest, German Cultural Society, 3652 S. Jefferson, Noon to 5 p.m.

April 19 – A Tasteful Affair, Four Seasons Hotel St. Louis, 999 N. 2^nd Street, 2 to 5:30 p.m.

April 20 – Free Group Run, Big River Running, 5352 Devonshire Avenue, 6 to 7 p.m.

Promoting Your Neighborhood Activities

Is there a neighborhood event on the schedule that you would like noted in the Spotlight?  If so, you may email the information about it to me at GrayR@stlouis-mo.gov or to Cathy Smentkowski at smentkowskic@stlouis-mo.gov for consideration.  You may also post it on the City's Calendar of Events on the City's web site:  http://stlouis-mo.gov.  The link to submit an event is at the very bottom of the home page.  The listing is free.  I encourage you to take advantage of this free way to promote your event.

Give STL Day

Make a difference in St. Louis and be a part of this year's Give STL Day on Tuesday, May 5.  The deadline for nonprofits to register for this 24-hour giving event is Friday, April 10, 2015.  For more information about the event, visit the givestlday.org web site.

Col. Richard Gray

Director of Public Safety

City of St. Louis