This is National Public Safety Communicators week.

In North Bay,  the Communications Centre received over 30,000 calls last year ranging from non emergency situations to those that are life threatening.

Not only do these communicators talk to the public to get important information but they also let the first responders in the field know there’s an emergency they need to get to.

Emergency Services recommend you only call or text 9-1-1 if there’s an emergency and if there’s a fire get out and then call from a safe area.

They also suggest you listen closely to the dispatcher until the appropriate first responders arrive.

For non emergency calls you can call the police at 472-1234 or fire at 472-1221.

You can also text 9-1-1 but again only in an emergency.