On Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010, at 7:00 p.m., four civilian 9-1-1 Police Communications Dispatchers (PCDs) will be recognized for their outstanding performance, professionalism and commitment.

The awards ceremony, hosted by the Philadelphia Police Radio Advisory Board, will take place in the auditorium of the Police Headquarters at 8th and Race Streets and will highlight the individual achievements of call-takers and dispatchers as they handle on a daily basis what is one of the most challenging professions. Two hundred attendees are expected, in addition to special guests including business and community leaders, legislators and senior Police Department officials.

Philadelphia operators handle more than 9,000 calls per day, or approximately 3.4 million a year. To callers, Police Radio staff are nameless, faceless people. They are behind-the-scenes individuals who work day in and day out to ensure the best system response to each emergency in the city of Philadelphia.

“At the award ceremony attendees will hear some of those names and see some of the faces that represent the 9-1-1- system. Although the system has its roots in technology, it is really about people. People at every stage of the process,” said William Hawkins, vice president of the Advisory Board.

“We are very, very proud to be part of honoring the men and women of Police Radio at this very important event. We depend on them and we thank them for being there when we need their help,” Hawkins said.

When an armed robbery occurred at a bank in a bordering jurisdiction, activating a “Blood Hound” GPS tracking device, one of the award recipients, PCD Inez Porter, calmly coordinated operations between Radio dispatch, multiple agencies and the bank. A pursuit ensued which resulted in the capture of the perpetrators with both money and guns recovered.  This is just one example of thousands where dispatchers have made and continue to make a significant difference in the personal and business lives of Philadelphians.

The 2010 Police 9-1-1 Dispatcher of the Year Award recipients are:

• One Platoon: PCD Inez Porter
• Two Platoon: PCD Laura McClain
• Three Platoon: PCD Mary Ramos  
• Five Platoon: PCD Kathleen Jablonski

Porter lives in West Philadelphia, McClain and Ramos in Northeast Philadelphia, and Jablonski in the Fishtown section.

About the Philadelphia Police Radio Advisory Board
The Philadelphia Police Radio Advisory Board is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. It was established by mayoral commission following the Eddie Polec incident in 1994 and is made up of residents from communities throughout the City. The Advisory Board: educates the public on the proper use of the 9-1-1 System through educational programs for schools, community and business groups, organizations; helps resolve residents’ and community issues regarding the 9-1-1 system; and monitors the system to ensure it is maintained at the highest level.