ORANGE COUNTY, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- A new mural recognizes emergency communications operators for the measures they provide that help save lives.

The Orange County Emergency Communications Center has added a “Tree of Life” mural.

According to a release, ECC Director Chris Cord commissioned the mural inside the building.

Leaves and birds will be added to the tree as communications officers place them, with the names and dates signifying a life saved or a baby delivered.

The first leaves were recently placed on the tree by Greg Bedinger, Abbe Smithson, Cassandra Keaton and Justin Lynch, who are each a communications officer that instructed a caller on how to perform CPR and saved a life this year.

No two leaves will be the same, as each one will represent a call, a person, an event or a good gesture honoring the communications officer’s knowledge and experience.

“Operating behind the scenes, emergency communications personnel are often less visible than other emergency services. However, as the first first responders, the instructions we give callers are the initial step in potentially life-saving measures. This tree will serve as a reminder not only for our staff of the importance of the work they do but will also educate visitors in our role in public safety,” said Cord.

The release says this mural will help show responders, the public and other dispatchers the great work that gets done every day, acting as a morale booster and a motivator.

The National 911 Telecommunicator Tree of Life is a project that allows people to share their stories and recognize communications officers. For more information, click here.