Leading Public Safety Associations Announce Open Nominations for 9-1-1 Honor Awards
Washington, D.C .– The E9-1-1 Institute, National Emergency Number Association (NENA), Association of Public-Safety Communications-Officials International (APCO), National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA), and 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (9IA) today announced the opening of nominations for the 2011 9-1-1 Honor Awards. The organizations, representing 25,000 emergency communications professionals nationwide, bestow the awards each year to honor heroes and leaders in 9-1-1. The 2011 awards ceremony will take place at the 9-1-1 Honors Gala on Tuesday, March 29th, 2011 in Washington, DC. The Co-Chairs of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus have been invited to present the awards.
“The purpose of these awards is to recognize heroes and leaders whose life and work demonstrate the power of human courage and dedication to make communities safe and best respond to emergencies,” said Gregory L. Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute. “It is the people that make the emergency communications area strong, and these awards are intended to highlight the best of the best.”
Brian Fontes, Ph.D., CEO of NENA, said, “This is one of the largest and most widely attended national emergency communication events in Washington, DC. NENA is proud to work with APCO, NASNA, 9IA, and the E9-1-1 Institute to provide very deserving recognition of people and organizations who have dedicated themselves to saving lives.”
“APCO is proud to be a supporter of an event that celebrates and honors the achievements of public safety communications professionals. These events ensure that we properly promote and recognize those who stand ready – many times behind the scenes – every day to serve the public in their greatest times of need,” said APCO International Executive Director George Rice.
“NASNA is proud to support this year’s 9-1-1 Honors and encourage all public safety agencies to consider who among them has shown leadership and dedication worthy of recognition in the 2011 Honors Gala,” said Richard Taylor, President of NASNA.
Reid French, Vice Chairman of the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance, said, “The 9-1-1 Honor Awards recognize both the public safety professionals and industry leaders that make this life-saving system work so well across our nation. The collaborative public/private partnership that is 9-1-1 is on full display with these awards.”
“If you know a courageous citizen who used 9-1-1 to save a life, or one of the many dedicated public safety officials whose leadership needs to be recognized, we encourage you to submit a nomination for these awards” said Taylor, who also serves as the Chairman of the E9-1-1 Institute Board of Directors. “Lives are saved every day because someone has effectively used 9-1-1 and because dedicated professionals work hard to ensure the 9-1-1 system works, and works well. These awards are intended to honor these people.”
The E9-1-1 Institute is now accepting nominations for the 2011 9-1-1 Honor Awards in the following eight categories: 9-1-1 Call-Taker/Dispatcher Award, Citizen in Action, First Responder Award, Government Leader Award, Industry Professional Award, 9-1-1 Technician Award, Outstanding 9-1-1 Call Center Award, and Outstanding 9-1-1 Program Award. Award descriptions, eligibility requirements, the nomination form, and submission instructions can be found online at www.e911institute.org.
About the E9-1-1 Institute
The E9-1-1 Institute is a non-profit organization which shares the mission of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus to assist in promoting public education on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues. The E9-1-1Institute provides informational support to members of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus as they pursue their mission of improving 9-1-1 emergency communications. Find out more at www.e911institute.org.
About NENA
NENA serves the public safety community as the only professional organization solely focused on 9-1-1 policy, technology, operations, and education issues. With more than 7,000 members in 48 chapters across the United States and around the globe, NENA promotes the implementation and awareness 9-1-1 and international three-digit emergency communications systems. NENA works with public policy leaders, emergency services and telecommunications industry partners, like-minded public safety associations, and other stakeholder groups to develop and carry out critical programs and initiatives, to facilitate the creation of an IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 system, and to establish industry leading standards, training, and certifications. Find out more at www.nena.org.
About APCO International
APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide-and the welfare of the general public as a whole-by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach. Find out more at www.apcointl.org.
About NASNA
The purpose of NASNA is to promote information sharing amongst those states with programs dedicated to implementing 9-1-1 emergency telephone systems; assist other states with resolving issues necessary to accomplish statewide implementation and maintenance; encourage the establishment of a coordination person within each state or province; identify and recommend minimum standards for 9-1-1 emergency telephone systems; identify and recommend appropriate legislation or rules concerning the administration of statewide 9-1-1 telephone system programs and serve as a knowledge resource for the membership of the Association. Find out more at www.nasna911.org.
About 9IA
The 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (“9IA”) represents the industry voice of the public safety industry. Established in December 2005 by a group of prominent leaders of the 9-1-1 industry, the Alliance plays an important role as the voice of industry companies on public policy issues impacting 9-1-1 and the emergency response system. It is the Alliance’s belief that the expertise of industry leaders can assist public policymakers and government emergency communications professionals as they address complex choices regarding advanced 9-1-1 alternatives in the years ahead. Find out more at www.911alliance.org.