E9-1-1 Institute Expands Awards for 2005
The E9-1-1 Institute this year will increase the number of awards recognizing excellence to eight, up from the three it awarded in 2004, the first year such awards were given. In addition to recognizing achievements for 9-1-1- professionals, citizen action and work in the media, the 2005 awards will also recognize call takers and dispatchers, first responders, government leaders, call centers and state or regional 9-1-1- programs. The Institute was created in 2003 to support the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus and to assist the Caucus in promoting public education on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues by serving as an information clearinghouse on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues and creating a forum for policy discussions related to E9-1-1 and emergency communications that will benefit public policy development.
(PRWEB) January 17, 2005
The E9-1-1 Institute this year will increase the number of awards recognizing excellence to eight, up from the three it awarded in 2004, the first year such awards were given.
The Institute was created in 2003 to support the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus and to assist the Caucus in promoting public education on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues by serving as an information clearinghouse on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues and creating a forum for policy discussions related to E9-1-1 and emergency communications that will benefit public policy development. The Caucus co-chairmen are Sen. Conrad Burns (R-Mont.), Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Cal.) and Rep. John Shimkus (R-Ill.).
In addition to recognizing achievements for 9-1-1- professionals, citizen action and work in the media, the 2005 awards will also recognize call takers and dispatchers, first responders, government leaders, call centers and state or regional 9-1-1- programs.
“This year’s wider field of awards reflect the Institute’s desire to honor a broader number of citizens and professionals across the country whose stories highlight the life-saving value of 9-1-1 services,” said Gregory L. Rohde, executive director of the E9-1-1 Institute.
Anyone can submit a nomination by filling out a form found at the InstituteÂ’s Web site, www. e911institute. org. The deadline is Jan. 31, 2005. The awards will be presented in a Washington, D. C. ceremony on March 1.
The awards for this year are:
9-1-1- Call Taker/Dispatcher: to honor those who have a proven track record of service and provide exemplary service for emergency callers; Citizen in Action: for someone who demonstrated exceptional bravery and heroism using 9-1-1- to save a life; First Responder: to honor someone from law enforcement, fire-rescue or Emergency Medical Services for their action in assisting someone reporting or experiencing an emergency; Government Leader: to someone in federal or state government who has done the most to advance the capabilities of 9-1-1- emergency communications; Industry Professional: to honor someone in the commercial sector who has shown exceptional contributions to advancement of 9-1-1- communications; Media/Entertainment: to honor someone who has done the most to improve public understanding and support for 9-1-1- communications; Outstanding 9-1-1 Call Center: to recognize a Call Center for excellence in handling emergency situations; State or Regional 9-1-1- Program: to recognize programs which have coordinated their efforts or have joint efforts, in their own and surrounding regions.
Last year’s winners were New York State Assemblyman David Koon of Fairport, who won the 9-1-1 Professional award for his work in the legislature to modernize the state’s emergency call centers; Kristy Wickliff of Southlake, Tex. Who, as a 5-year-old, won the “Citizen in Action” award for saving her father’s life dialing 9-1-1- and following dispatcher’s instructions when her father went into diabetic shock; and Jim Moore and the Animal Band of Nashville, who won the “Media/Entertainment” Award for their “9-1-1- Song,” which has been performed at hundreds of schools across the country.
About the E911 Institute
The E9-1-1 Institute (www. e911institute. org) is a not-for-profit organization which provides administrative and policy support to the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus. The purpose of the E9-1-1 Institute is to promote pubic education and awareness of E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues and serve the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus as a clearinghouse of information on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues. Gregory L. Rohde, former Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, serves as the E9-1-1 InstituteÂ’s Executive Director.
Contact: Greory L. Rohde
202-292-4603
Glr@e911institute. org
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