Rochester residents were reminded that 911 dispatchers should be directing first responders during an emergency, not dispensing weather advice.

Chief Dispatcher Tracey Eldridge met Selectmen on Tuesday to provide an overview of the town’s Communications Center in the wake of this historic winter.

“We’ve been extremely busy over the last couple of months,” Eldridge said. “Dispatchers have dealt with serious calls, some funny calls and some stressful calls.”

When poor weather hits, the center receives a flurry of calls, but some of those are better suited for other agencies, Eldridge said.

“Don’t call police to ask about school closings. In the morning when there’s inclement weather we are fielding a lot of calls related to weather,” Eldridge said.

Two other common questions the center receives are, “Is the ice safe?” and “How are the roads?”

“These are two questions we cannot answer,” she said. “If answered incorrectly these calls can become a liability.”

She explained that the Communication Center handles emergency and non-emergency calls for police, fire, animal control and highway departments. People assume they will get a police officer on the phone when calling, she said, adding that’s not the case.

“The Rochester Communications Center is a public safety answering point for the town of Rochester,” she said.

Because of that, phone lines should be kept open for calls meant for the center, she said.

Eldridge also offered several tips on using 911 and pointed out several functions of the service the public may not know about. Most importantly, she encouraged callers to stay calm, remain on the line and answer all of the dispatchers questions.

Selectmen thanked Eldridge and her staff for the work done during the storms.

“I pride myself on my staff, and they’ve really shined these past couple months with the snowstorms,” Eldridge said. “And it hasn’t been easy.”