Bridgeport officials are honoring the often-unseen heroes of emergency response.

During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, local leaders put the spotlight on the men and women who answer 911 calls and get help where it's needed.

Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim calls those who staff emergency phone lines front-line heroes.

"It makes a difference in peoples' lives, and we appreciate it and that's why we're here honoring you. Thank you," said Ganim.

The ceremony also highlighted the grand opening of the Bridgeport Hospital ECOC Wellness and Decompress Rooms which were made possible by a donation from the Yale New Haven Bridgeport Hospital.