BLOUNT COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Whenever you call police or fire personnel for help, you don't always get to see them to thank them.

Wednesday, thanks went out to those people who behind the scenes people who take the call.

As part of National Public Safety Telecommunications week, 911 dispatchers in Blount County were given thanks for the work they do in getting the right help to people who call during emergency situations.

The group got a big thank you from area agencies and the center's director who says their average response time in answering calls is seven seconds and there's been no turnover in personnel in three years.

The director says, "We've got a great staff and none of them are really in it at all to draw attention to themselves. They really like caring for people. It takes a special kind of person to do this job and we've got a real special group."

Besides awards for attendance and achievement, night shift supervisor Donna Burnette was honored with the Telecommunicator of the Year award.