Washington, DC — The E9-1-1 Institute, in conjunction with National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA), the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (“9IA”), National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED), 9-1-1 For Kids, and the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, will present 11 awards to citizen heroes at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.’s Ronald Reagan Center.  This is the 8th annual awards ceremony where citizens whose heroism and dedication highlight the critical importance of 9-1-1 emergency communications will be honored.  The Co-chairs of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus will be on hand to present the awards.Being honored this year are:

The Alexandria Police Department of Alexandria, Virginia will receive the First Responder Award.  The First Responder Award is given in appreciation of the dedicated professionals in law enforcement, fire, rescue, and telecommunications who assist in the resolution of an emergency situation. Seven dispatchers took immediate action when an armed carjacking suspect ran into a crowded city hall.  They simultaneously coordinated the more than 30 officers responding to the call and initiated the city’s Reverse 9-1-1 system to alert the surrounding residential neighborhood.  Their quick, organized response contributed to the successful apprehension of the suspect wherein no one was harmed.

Angie Phillips of Arlington, Texas and Ryan Reed of Weatherford, Texas will receive the 9-1-1 Call-Taker & 9-1-1 Citizen Award.  On October 24, 2010, Arlington, Texas 9-1-1 call-taker Angie Phillips answered a 9-1-1 call from Ryan Reed, a 16 year old with Asperger’s syndrome.  Ryan’s grandfather was driving them home when he suffered congenital heart failure and lost consciousness. As the only passenger in the car, Ryan quickly dialed 9-1-1.  Angie thought and acted quickly, and with her help, Ryan was able to stop the vehicle and use landmarks to relay their location. Angie and Ryan’s ability to remain calm and communicate clearly saved his grandfather’s life.

The City of Aurora Public Safety Communications Department of Aurora, Colorado will receive the Outstanding 9-1-1 Call Center Award. The Outstanding 9-1-1 Call Center Award honors a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for its excellence in key emergency communications areas ranging from the handling of emergency situations reported to 9-1-1 to the deployment and management of new technology. The City of Aurora Public Safety Communications Department has implemented a series of changes in training, operations, leadership development, and employee support.  In doing so, the center has dramatically improved the quality of service offered by the call center.

George Heinrichs of Longmont, Colorado will receive the Industry Professional Award. The Industry Professional Award honors individuals in the commercial sector who make exceptional contributions towards the advancement of emergency 9-1-1 communications.  George Heinrichs is the president and cofounder of Intrado, the nation’s largest provider of emergency communications infrastructure and services, and is recognized as one of the 9-1-1 legends.  During the course of his 30 year career, George has worked tirelessly as an advocate for the industry, particularly in regards to the development and implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1. Heinrichs is acutely aware of the need for government and industry leadership to keep 9-1-1 at the forefront of rapidly developing consumer telecommunications technology.

The Greater Harris County 9-1-1 Emergency Network of Houston, Texas will receive the Outstanding 9-1-1 Program Award. The Outstanding 9-1-1 Program Award recognizes an innovative and forward looking plan to enhance the future viability of public emergency communications systems. Greater Harris County 9-1-1 (GHC 9-1-1) is an excellent example of an approach to efficient, reliable public safety services with and through an eye to call-taker training, professional growth, technological development, and community involvement and education.  GHC 9-1-1 serves approximately 20% of Texas’ population in 49 cities and 2 counties and has a self-managed, in-house ALI database. Their recently completed headquarters is a Silver LEED Certified facility that houses all its 9-1-1 systems including its own Network Operations Center (NOC) and a self-managed in-house database. GHC 9-1-1 has implemented and upgraded its Internet Protocol (IP) network infrastructure to include diverse wireless and wireline paths for optimal redundancy in preparation for future applications for Next Generation technology. Greater Harris County 9-1-1 has demonstrated a deep commitment to public education and 9-1-1 call center training at the local, state, and national levels. They have demonstrated that balancing operations and technology is the key to preparing for future technologies.

John Garner of Germantown, Tennessee will receive the Industry Professional Award.  The Industry Professional Award honors individuals in the commercial sector who make exceptional contributions towards the advancement of emergency 9-1-1 communications.  John Garner, a Director in AT&T’s Network Planning and Engineering group, has been involved with the industry’s efforts to develop and deploy wireless E9-1-1 service for over ten years. Prior to his work with AT&T, John spent 16 years working in the PSAP environment, giving him a unique and invaluable perspective that incorporates both the day-to-day challenges faced by PSAPs and the larger regulatory issues facing E9-1-1 and emerging technologies. He brings this expertise to many standards and advisory committees within NENA, APCO and ESIF.

Michael Alwes of Springfield, Virginia will receive the 9-1-1 Technician Award.  The purpose of the 9-1-1 Technician Award is to honor the quiet leaders whose work is largely behind-the-scenes, yet essential to making 9-1-1 voice and data networks reliable and effective.  As a member of Verizon’s 9-1-1 Team, Michael Alwes has supported the  Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications and other PSAPs in Northern Virginia for over 20 years.  As Lead Technician, Michael was also responsible for the smooth transition as the department moved to a new facility and nearly doubled its number of call-takers.

Paul Laney of Fargo, North Dakota will receive the Government Leader Award.  The 9-1-1 Government Leader Award honors a local leader whose work has made a positive impact to advance 9-1-1.  Laney is receiving this national honor in part because of his leadership on regional coordination in the Red River Valley as well as his service to Cass County as Sheriff responding to numerous major disasters, including the floods and winter storms of 2010.  The Red River Regional Dispatch Center, located in Cass County, is the first 911 center in the nation to consolidate services across state lines (North Dakota/Minnesota).  The center serves two sheriff’s departments, seven police departments, three city fire departments, 28 rural fire departments, 15 rural emergency medical services (EMS) providers and FM Ambulance, which serves the metropolitan community of Fargo-Moorhead.  While there are many consolidated centers throughout the country, none have combined all of the fire, police, and emergency response in two counties in two different states.  As Chairman of the Board of Authority for the Red River Regional Dispatch Center, Sheriff Paul Laney is responsible for the overall policy and direction of the center. 

Paul Nicholson of Eureka, California will receive the Citizen in Action Award.  The Citizen in Action Award recognizes a person who has shown a deep commitment to 9-1-1 education and awareness. Over the past ten years, Paul Nicholson has dedicated countless hours and resources to educating children about 9-1-1.  Paul organized the implementation of the 9-1-1 for Kids program in Eureka, California and, with his colleagues, purchased a 9-1-1 simulator for the community.  Paul began visiting kindergarten, first and second grade classes and educating them about how and when to call 9-1-1 and what to tell the dispatcher.  Today, Paul spends 4-5 hours a week visiting schools throughout the county to teach children about 9-1-1.

Julius Genachowski of Washington, D.C. will receive the Federal Leader Award. The Federal Leader Award recognizes the efforts of federal officials in developing and implementing public policy to advance the capabilities of 9-1-1 emergency communications.  Since becoming FCC Chairman in 2009, Julius Genachowski has worked hard to advance federal policy initiatives that promote the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 and has publicized the need for national broadband deployment to ensure successful implementation. With Chairman Genachowski’s leadership, The FCC has highlighted the needs of public safety in the FCC’s National Broadband Plan released in 2010 and in subsequent dockets that reinforce the need to move from the legacy 9-1-1 system to a system that can harness the life-saving potential of text, photos and videos in emergency situations.

About the E9-1-1 Institute
The E9-1-1 Institute is a non-profit organization which shares the mission of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus to assist in promoting public education on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues. The E9-1-1 Institute provides informational support to members of the Congressional Caucus as they pursue their mission of improving 9-1-1 emergency communications.  Find out more at http://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 of 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 http://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 http://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 http://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 http://www.911alliance.org/.     

About NAED
The NAED is a non-profit standard-setting organization promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services world-wide. Comprised of three allied Academies for medical, fire and police dispatching, the NAED supports first-responder related research, unified protocol application, legislation for emergency call center regulation, and strengthening the emergency dispatch community through education, certification, and accreditation.  Find out more about NAED at www.emergencydispatch.org

About 911 for Kids
9-1-1 for Kids® is the official public education organization for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical response and 9-1-1 communication centers for the U.S., Canada and the Cayman Islands; all countries where “9-1-1” is the universal emergency response phone number.  9-1-1 for Kids® was established in 1994 and is endorsed by: APCO International (Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials); E-911 Institute; NENA (National Emergency Numbers Assn.); and NASNA (National Assn. of Nine-one-one Administrators). Find out more about 911 for Kids at http://www.911forkids.com/