MHP Dispatchers Honored During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

HELENA, MT – During a special visit to the Montana Highway Patrol Communications Center Tuesday, Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Colonel Kurt Sager of the Montana Highway Patrol marked National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week by acknowledging the critical work of MHP dispatchers. These professionals are trained in emergency medical dispatching and provide 24/7 support, handling a variety of calls that are both emergency and non-urgent in nature.

“Dispatchers are often the first voice Montanans hear in an emergency, guiding citizens through some of the most stressful moments of their lives,” Attorney General Knudsen said. He commended the dispatchers for their ability to maintain composure under pressure, which is essential to ensuring public safety.

Colonel Sager highlighted the importance of dispatchers in supporting law enforcement, “Our troopers’ success in the field is directly linked to the hard work of our dispatchers, who offer indispensable support every day,” he noted. As the first to respond to calls for help, dispatchers play a pivotal role in the management and coordination of safety operations across the state.

MHP Dispatcher Brittney Buchanan was honored as Dispatcher of the Year for her outstanding commitment and efficiency in managing communications and providing vital information to both the public and officers on the ground.

Throughout the past year, MHP dispatchers have managed 29,685 incoming calls, averaging 297 calls per day. The previous year, they received a total of 110,140 calls, reflecting the dispatchers’ steadfast dedication to ensuring public safety and supporting officers in the field.

The communications center answers calls for MHP, Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP), Department of Transportation Motor Carrier Services, and Department of Corrections Probation and Parole. They also work with all 56 counties in Montana, various police departments across the state, and the Department of Transportation. MHP dispatchers occasionally also provide dispatch services and notifications for the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation, Bureau of Land Management, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, VA Police, United States Forest Service, and United States Air Force Office of Special Investigations.