Appreciation for 911 Professionals During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

Press Release

Public safety telecommunicators at the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) are the link between the community and fire, medical, mental health and law enforcement agencies. 911 telecommunicators often provide life-saving instructions over the phone and give first responders the critical information they need before they arrive on the scene. The work of a 911 telecommunicator happens behind the scenes and out of the spotlight.

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, from April 13 to 19, is an opportunity to recognize the talent and professionalism of 911 call takers, dispatchers, and supervisors.

"I deeply appreciate our call takers, dispatchers and supervisors for their unwavering dedication and teamwork. With professionalism and compassion, they deliver life-saving services and take great pride in their work. Every individual in our community is important, and I am especially proud of the incredible professionals at BOEC who respond to calls for help, every single day," said BOEC Director Bob Cozzie.

"On behalf of all Portlanders, thank you to the 911 Operations Team at BOEC-our first first responders and the often-overlooked public safety heroes. They are the first to answer in times of crisis, providing expert, compassionate service every hour of every day. As the Mayor of the City of Portland, I'm committed to supporting their vital work, and I'm deeply grateful for their dedication," said Mayor Keith Wilson.

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications announces its annual 911 Awardwinners:

Telecommunicator of the Year: Rebekah Conklin

Telecommunicator of the Year is awarded to an employee who routinely demonstrates an exemplary work ethic, exceptional performance of duties, shows and uses initiative and leadership qualities, and promotes the City of Portland and BOEC Values. In addition to their usual duties, this nominee generates work which goes above and beyond the regular job duties, making a valuable contribution to BOEC and the local community.

Supervisor of the Year: Mickie Reed

Supervisor of the year recognizes the supervisor whose efforts on behalf of BOEC demonstrate the highest level of commitment to its personnel and their excellence, professionalism, and success. This individual exemplifies leadership, integrity, trustworthiness, dependability, and forward thinking; coach and encourage the strengths and skills in each employee to assist in achieving each individual's personal best; demonstrates initiative and creativity in policies/procedures/new programs; enhances or improves the operation and morale of the center; promotes the Telecommunicator Code of Ethics and the BOEC Code of Ethics on a daily basis through example; and builds and maintain a positive rapport with co-workers and community members.

Coach of the Year: Joseph Stegemeyer

Coach of the Year recognizes a coach whose contributions are instrumental in the excellence and success of those working within the dispatch center. This individual exemplifies leadership, integrity, trustworthiness, dependability; promotes the Telecommunicator Code of Ethics and the BOEC Code of Ethics by example; mentors new employees with the commitment to their success; demonstrates initiative in continuous improvement; models excellent customer service skills; sets a positive and forward thinking tone within the work environment.

Outstanding Team Member: Nakita Thomas

Outstanding Team Member is awarded to a BOEC employee from the administrative or leadership team, who by act or deed, makes an exceptionally noteworthy contribution for that year; thus, positively impacting BOEC in a significant way. This employee routinely demonstrates an exemplary work ethic, exceptional performance of duties, shows and uses initiative and leadership qualities, and promotes teamwork. In addition to their usual duties, this employee generates work which goes above and beyond the regular job duties, making a valuable contribution to BOEC and/or the local community.

Champ Award: Kim Hunt

The Champ award recognizes an individual who, outside of the normal heroic duties of daily work life, goes "above and beyond the console" and exemplifies the human spirit and generous, caring, compassionate hearts of our 9-1-1 community. As demonstrated through actions of selfless humanitarianism, devotion to others through personal service, giving of their time, efforts, and talents.

BOEC also recognizes telecommunicators in the categories of:

Critical Incident Award: Any individual, team, center or centers, who by deed or act, make an extremely noteworthy contribution which results in the successful handling of a major incident or combination of incidents beyond the average or normal activity level.

Lifesaver Awards: An individual, team, center or centers who exemplify commitment to service above and beyond the call of duty through innovative/quick thinking, initiative, excellent use of knowledge and skills seldom drawn upon, calm and controlled presence of mind, extraordinary individual or team effort - which results in the preservation of human life.

Stork Award: An individual who successfully aids in the delivery of a baby over the phone by calmly providing emergency medical instructions and reassurance before medical assistance could arrive.