Big Sky Times

Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Montana Highway Patrol (MHP) Colonel Kurt Sager paid a visit to the MHP Communications Center to honor dispatchers during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, observed from April 13 to 19.

The dispatchers at the MHP Communications Center are trained in emergency medical dispatch. They operate around the clock, 24/7, to coordinate the response of troopers and other law enforcement personnel to both emergency and non-emergency situations throughout Montana.

"Dispatchers are often the first voice Montanans hear when they need help in an emergency and during life's most difficult moments. I'm proud of their excellent work and ability to stay calm in stressful situations which helps keep Montanans and visitors safe in our state," said Attorney General Knudsen.

Colonel Sager added, "Our MHP dispatchers play a vital role in our mission to safeguard lives and property on the roads and highways in the state. I'm incredibly grateful to them for their hard work and dedication to serving the citizens of Montana. Our troopers could not do their jobs in the field without dispatch."

In 2024, the communications center managed a total of 162,177 calls for service. This included calls initiated by troopers in the field. MHP dispatchers have so far handled 29,685 incoming calls this year, averaging 297 per day. Last year, they responded to 110,140 incoming calls, which averages to 9,178 calls monthly.