PUNTA GORDA, Fla.–A call to 911 has become synonymous with help, hope, and even terror—as witnessed by the nation on Sept. 11, 2001, America’s darkest day in modern history. A 911 operator is the most important person “that you will never meet,” retired 911 supervisor Sheryle Langmaid told the Epoch Times on April 5. “We are the first, first-responders.” Langmaid said that 911 dispatchers do not get the same respect as “other heroes,” in that they are the silent partners of law enforcement, fire department, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Dispatchers are sometimes not regarded as “equals” on the first responder playing field, Langmaid said, adding that law enforcement, as well as Fire and EMS often “look down” on dispatchers. “Are you kidding me?” she exclaimed. “I am the person who makes sure that you get what you need when you call  …  and you look down on us? That’s …