HOBOKEN, N.J., August 6, 2018 — (BUSINESS WIRE)–NICE (Nasdaq: NICE) will recognize the recipients of its 2018 PSAPs’ Finest Awards today in a special ceremony in Booth #529 at the APCO 2018 Annual Conference & Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada. The PSAPs’ Finest awards is a long-standing Public Safety recognition program sponsored by NICE. Awards are presented annually to winners in seven categories: Director, Line Supervisor, Technician, Trainer, Telecommunicator, Innovator and PSAP of the Year.

Over the last thirteen years that the program has been in existence, it has continued to expand and grow, with dozens of individuals receiving awards. Winners are selected by an independent panel of volunteer judges from the 9-1-1 community, who evaluate nominees based on their accomplishments, skills and service to community.

“With this year being the 50th anniversary of 9-1-1, I’m especially honored and humbled to recognize eight outstanding individuals and PSAPs who model the mission of 9-1-1 every day,” said John Rennie, General Manager of the NICE Public Safety group. “Much has changed in emergency communications over the last five decades, but it’s abundantly clear from this group that the commitment and dedication of those who work in 9-1-1 is as steadfast as ever.”

This year’s PSAPs’ Finest award recipients are:

* PSAP of the Year – Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Communication Bureau;

* Director of the Year – Liane Scharnott, Communications Center Director, Bayside Communications Center, Bayside, Wisconsin;

* Line Supervisor of the Year – Elli D. Childs, 911 Public Safety Supervisor 2, Pinellas County Regional 911, Largo, Florida;

* Technician of the Year – Brad Coffey. Section Chief – Infrastructure Support. Missouri State Highway Patrol, Jefferson City, Missouri;

* Telecommunicator of the Year – Ryan Culver, Telecommunicator, Ottawa County Central Dispatch Authority, West Olive, MI;

* Innovator of the Year – Shawn Shear, ENP, Communications Center Manager, Thornton 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center, Thornton, Colorado;

* Trainer of the Year (two-way tie) – John Halaychik III, Professional Development Coordinator, Tompkins County Department of Emergency Response, Ithaca, NY (and) Sandy Swartz, Emergency Complaint Writer, St. Petersburg Police Department, St. Petersburg, Florida.

The PSAPs’ Finest Awards Program is made possible by 9-1-1 professionals who volunteer their time to serve as judges.

Anthony Castillo, ENP, Manager, Emergency Communications, Norfolk, Virginia, said the selections were not easy.

“It has truly been my honor sitting on the panel for NICE’s 2018 PSAP’s Finest Awards. The ‘hero’s work’ these dedicated men and women do every day is nothing short of outstanding,” Castillo said. “The award submissions we review make it difficult to select only one person or agency. Congratulation to those selected and nominated! Truly hero’s all!”

Panel member Shinar Haynes, Executive Director, Tarrant County 9-1-1 District (Fort Worth, Texas), said the 9-1-1 professionals are often overlooked.

“Although they’re a vital link in the public safety cycle, 9-1-1 professionals are not often recognized for their hard work, dedication, and selflessness. Still, these ‘heroes under the headset’ deal with everyone’s worst day, hour, or moment, while helping keep first responders safe,” Haynes said. “The PSAPs’ Finest nominations reflected this self-sacrificing spirit while also highlighting the importance of leadership, technology and training.”

Alphonso Dale, IT Project Manager, Information Technology Division, of Newport News, Virginia, said he was honored to be part of the selection panel. He noted that the awards honor behind-the-scenes work in public safety.

“This year’s selection process was very difficult as each nominee brought unique qualities to the profession,” Dale said.

Daniel R. Koenig, ENP, 9-1-1 Planning Coordinator, Palm Beach County (Florida) Public Safety Department 9-1-1 Technical Services, was also a member of the selection committee.

“9-1-1 professionals are the first access point for the public into the emergency services system. The initial contact often sets the tone for incidents and communications personnel often go unnoticed for the vital role they play,” Koenig said.

Nominations for the 2019 PSAPs’ Finest Awards will open in January 2019. More information can be obtained on the PSAPs’ Finest website or by emailing PSInfo@NICE.com.

About NICE

NICE (Nasdaq:NICE) is the worldwide leading provider of both cloud and on-premises enterprise software solutions that empower organizations to make smarter decisions based on advanced analytics of structured and unstructured data. NICE helps organizations of all sizes deliver better customer service, ensure compliance, combat fraud and safeguard citizens. Over 25,000 organizations in more than 150 countries, including over 85 of the Fortune 100 companies, are using NICE solutions. www.nice.com.