Torres Invites San Bernardino Dispatcher to State of the Union
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Rep. Norma J. Torres (D-Pomona) announced that she will be joined at this year's State of the Union address by Annemarie Teall, the dispatcher who directed 911 traffic during the San Bernardino shooting.
"Annemarie was the calm voice we all heard on the 911 recordings from that fateful day," said Torres. "As panic spread throughout the region, she and her team coordinated a swift, effective emergency response to what is likely the greatest tragedy our community has ever suffered."
Teall has worked as a dispatcher for the past 27 years and is currently Police Dispatch Supervisor for the City of San Bernardino. Congresswoman Torres is presently on leave from her position as dispatcher for the Los Angeles Police Department where she worked for 18 years.
"As a former dispatcher, I know the unbelievable pressure 911 dispatchers are under and how important their work is in responding to emergencies," continued Torres. "Without them, our first responders would not be able to do their jobs, yet dispatchers very rarely get the recognition they deserve. By inviting Annemarie I hope to not only recognize her and the crucial role she played that day, but also the thousands of dispatchers throughout the country who form a vital part of our first responder teams, yet often go unnoticed."
Congresswoman Torres represents California's 35th congressional district and is a member of the House Homeland Security Committee.
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