Community Thanks April 18, 2010

RUN: Deemed a success

The Hauser Lake 10-kilometer Ice Breaker Run, organized by the Hauser Lake Watershed Coalition, was deemed a success as 127 runners registered for Sunday's second-seed qualifying race for Bloomsday.

Many hours of preparation by Chair Duane Justus and his wife Cris, along with volunteers from the coalition, Hauser Lions Club and Hauser Fire Department ensured that the runners had a safe and pleasant journey around the lake. Even the Post Falls Highway Department road crew got into the action by making extra street "sweeps" to clean the road and agreeing to pick up the trash that the coalition members and neighbors had collected the day before. It was a picture perfect Norman Rockwell scene of a small rural community's pride in welcoming visitors and running enthusiasts.

Many thanks to the sponsors of the event which included Michelob Ultra, Rady's Electric, Avista, Kirks Espresso, Saturday Night Inc., Hauser Lions Club and A Natural Medicine Institute and Bumble Bars.

JAMES WALLACE

Hauser

WEEK: Recognize dispatchers

In celebration of National Public Telecommunicators Week (April 11-17) the Post Falls Police Department would like to recognize the emergency communications officers for all they do.

Each year, the second week of April is dedicated to the men and women who serve as public safety telecommunicators (dispatchers).

Whether it is a citizen calling the police to report an accident or an alarm company notifying police of a commercial alarm, the police department's communications center handles thousands of calls for assistance each year. The communications officers are the lifeline for the community and the patrol officers. They are the initial contact with individuals in need of services and therefore must project a positive and supportive image.

Duties of a communications officer are broad. In addition to performing a variety of clerical and administrative tasks, the communication officer's primary responsibilities revolve around receiving information from the public and other law enforcement agencies concerning various emergency and non-emergency situations, and providing the information to the appropriate responding units.

During 2009, the Post Falls Communications Division handled approximately 28,840 calls for service for the Cities of Post Falls and Rathdrum. At times, the job of the communications officer becomes very stressful. On many occasions, a call is received from someone in a crisis situation in need of police, fire or EMS assistance. The communications officer must be able to calm the caller so the necessary information can be obtained. The officer must then effectively relay the information to responding units and agencies.

The safety of police officers involved in emergency situations often falls on the shoulders of the communications officer. They are a patrol officer's link to assistance while on the scene of a crime, disturbance or accident.

The communications officers play a vital role in the department's ability to serve the citizens of our community. With their skills and dedication to duty, the department is able to fulfill its obligations to the citizens. It takes a special type of person to be a communications officer. He/she must be alert, level headed and above all quick thinking.

Thank you to all of our emergency communications officers: Vicky Dowd, Michaela Thompson, Nancy Schmuland, Amanda Hughes, Lori Borders, Amy Rasmussen, Hillory Wichman, Jennee Nixon, Deborah Silva, and supervisors Joanie Huska and Laurie Sutton.

Each of you is an indispensable link between the patrol officers and the public. You should be commended for your dedication and professionalism. The reputation and image that our department enjoys is due in large part to the excellent manner in which you have performed your duties.

CHARLENE HOLBROOK

Post Falls police communications

manager

PEAK: Event was world class

Thank you to the great staff and members at Peak of Post Falls for putting together a world class event to support Cancer Research.

The 2nd annual LiveStrong 24-hour Bike Ride had hundreds of people attending (cancer survivors and those left behind) who biked to "fight cancer." Everyone's generosity led to thousands of dollars in donations.

I would like to single out a special couple that made the whole event possible, Mike and Rachel Larsen of Post Falls. They organized more than a dozen teams of riders, received numerous auction donations and made the event super fun all day, night and day long. I feel very lucky to work for such great people.

HEATH WILTSE, GM

Peak Health & Wellness