Winner: Darrius Purnell, Emergency Communications Officer

Location: Richmond City Department of Emergency, Communications, Preparedness and Response, Virginia

“ECO Purnell has been a true team player. He is always willing to stay over or comeback in when staffing is short, so his fellow co-workers do not get mandated. In 2023, he has received the Latoya Brown Star of the Week seven times from his peers and was nominated for the Emergency Communications Officer of the Month in April and October.

In his short time with DECPR, ECO Purnell has shown a willingness to learn and take on any task you put in front of him. He adapted when staffing would not allow him to start training on fire radio and took it upon himself during his downtime on phones to learn and listen to fire radio, so when his training started; he was already familiar with policies, procedures and radio traffic.

CO Purnell, while working overtime on C Platoon on Police Channel 4, handled an officer involved shooting where the subject wanted to be shot by police. ECO Purnell reacted quickly and calmly, sent additional resources to the officer, and made sure that a serious situation did not get more out of control.

ECO Purnell has continued to show his willingness to be a team player. With two senior fire operators getting ready to go to dayshift, he was asked, even though he was recently released on Fire Radio, if he would be interested in becoming the FTO for D Platoon. ECO Purnell advised he was more than willing and is excited to help any way that he can with training on Fire Radio or Police Radio. He has submitted his request to become a CTO and has already helped with assisting with training on Fire Radio and Police Radio when the original CTO is out of work.

ECO Purnell continues to demonstrate his commitment to the citizens and first responders of Richmond. He has shown he will help the Department and his co-workers without hesitation. For these reasons and many more, I believe Emergency Communications Officer Darrius Purnell makes a great candidate for the honor of Best Overall Telecommunicator.”

Nominated by: Justin Waitt, Emergency Communications Supervisor

Winner: Cassie Speaks, CTO Telecommunicator

Location: West Central Joint ETSB 911, Illinois

“West Central Joint ETSB would like to formally nominate CTO Cassie Speaks for Outstanding Telecommunicator Trainer.

Cassie began her career at West Central in July 2021, where she quickly showed us she will go above and beyond the call of duty in all areas of her work performance and her skills and knowledge, exhibited in all aspects of communications daily. Cassie will consistently go the extra mile in serving the public, Law Enforcement, Firefighters and EMS personal, administration and, most importantly, her co-workers.

Cassie was a standout in her training class, always willing to take the lead and ask questions. She was quick to learn new skills, policies, programs and always wanting to learn more about everything. On her own, she would sign up for classes outside of her normal work schedule to learn more about her profession. She was helpful to other trainees in her class by demonstrating how she kept notes and learned new information.

When the opportunity came up to be a CPR Instructor, Cassie jumped at the idea. She quickly signed up for class and got to work. Her organizational skills were instrumental in helping us to get more classes going in our area. She assisted with teaching our local fire and police departments CPR. She assisted with helping us locate AEDs within our jurisdiction to register. She also teaches CPR outside of work to local daycares and nursing homes. During National Night Out, she took the lead in Hands Only CPR for the public.

We quickly realized Cassie was here to stay and was an asset to our agency. After a short year and a half, she took over the role of filling a temporary CTO position when someone left. Once we had her in that spot, she excelled. She could explain policies and procedures to trainees in a new way. When she saw there was a need for more in depth LEADS training, Cassie figured out a way to make an interactive workbook for the trainees. She has helped rewrite and organize quiz material for the classroom that was previously scattered, at best. This helps all the CTO’s gather material to help train new employees.

Cassie has been a set of fresh eyes for some things that ‘have always been that way.’ When she noticed others struggling with the radio screen set up, she quickly came up with an applicable solution and notified administration. We were able to reconfigure the set up in a few days and it helped our newly trained staff immediately.

When Cassie worked night shift, she was always willing to pick up extra shifts to help cover, including DAY SHIFTS! When we were extremely short on staff, Cassie always went the extra mile to help cover shifts. She communicated with co-workers to make sure they could have time off to attend family events and vacations. While working across all shifts, Cassie took it as a learning opportunity. She observed how other staff handled calls, and what shortcuts they used, where they found resources. This made her a more well-rounded dispatcher that could cover all events and shifts. When she was moved to dayshift, she was still covering night shifts, but this time to see her friends. Night shift was so excited for her to come back for a short 12-hour shift to ‘hang out and catch up.’ Given the OT pay is probably pretty nice as well, we believe Cassie loves her job and her coworkers more than that.

We believe that CTO Cassie Speaks is simply the best. She deserves to be awarded as Outstanding Telecommunicator Trainer. Cassie always goes above and beyond the call of duty in all areas of her work performance. She continues to demonstrate her skills and knowledge in all aspects of communications daily. All of her coworkers and responders know she will consistently go the extra mile to serve them and the community.”

Nominated by: Jessica Sanders, Supervisor

Winner: Linda Hollingsworth, Dispatcher

Location: Memphis Emergency Communications Bureau/Memphis Police, Tennessee

“I admire Ms. Linda Hollingsworth because of her professionalism and consistency. She comes to work every day ready to provide the best service to our callers and police officers. She is always cognizant of the seriousness and of the importance of her job as a telecommunicator. I speak from the point of her supervisor. She is a joy to work with and if every employee had her attitude and work ethic it would be incredible. Linda is one of the greatest examples of you don’t have to have a title to be a leader, she is committed to being excellent in her current role as a dispatcher. She first leads by example, and she is not afraid to hold others accountable, including us as leaders. She challenges us in a healthy and respectful way – always concerned about what is best for the Bureau. Linda is also deeply committed to professional development and does not mind paying her way to attend conferences and classes. She serves as a trainer, peer support person and writes for our agency’s newsletter.

This past November, she spearheaded a Veteran’s Month observation where she gave plaques and gift to all the employees in our agency who are veterans. She decorated the lobby, and she did this with her own money. She represents our agency on career days and in the community. She contributes a lot at work and still shows up and is present for her family. I admire the way she can balance it all. She’s always positive, encouraging, and professional. She has the respect of everyone here at Memphis 9-1-1.”

Nominated by: Erica May, Supervisor

Winner: Michael Cahill, Public Safety Communications Supervisor – Lead

Location: Charlottesville/ UVA/ Albemarle Emergency Communications Center, Virginia

“Michael has an innate desire for progress and employee well-being. He makes consistent sacrifices to ensure that nobody is slighted or forsaken in any capacity on the floor. Michael is involved in multiple different committees, boards and other functions to strive for a better workplace. There are many times when these ideas and changes are not received well, or stall because of employee disengagement, hostility or apathy. Many other leaders would become discouraged and even give up on such things, but Michael never has. Instead, he listens to the employees and attempts to engage them on the matter. He will also listen to the employees if they have legitimate concerns that contradict his ideas and will adapt as needed.

He is always willing to go the extra mile for any employee in the building and keeps an open mind. Leaders like this are rare in this community, and Michael deserves recognition for standing out.”

Nominated by: Brock Simpson, Public Safety Communications Supervisor

Winner: West Central Joint ETSB 911

Location: West Central Joint ETSB 911, Illinois

“I would like to formally nominate my team of employees for “Outstanding Emergency Communications Team.” This team works together to support each other and shows up repeatedly for the community. As with most dispatch departments, we have seen a lot of turnover and we welcome each new employee with open arms. The team makes sure each new employee is set up with gifts to get them started, like backpacks loaded with pens, notepads, whiteout and whatever else established employees have found useful. 

Our current employees always take the time to check on the trainees while they are in the classroom. They stop in to say hi, but also to see what they are learning for the day and give a little insight. When a trainee comes into the dispatch center, they are always willing to slide over a little and invite the trainees a little closer so they can see what they are doing on calls. Once those trainees enter the communications center for real life training, our team again welcomes them. The team goes through their own binders and offers any tips and shortcuts they have found that work for them.

Our teamwork extends to all employees, making sure that everyone gets time off that they need for important family events and vacations. They are willing to trade with each other to help when they may be a little short on time. We even get day shifters covering for night shifters every once in a while!

Our team loves to educate the community. They show up for National Night Out to meet as many people as possible and educate them on our role in the community. The team takes the time to explain to children and adults how 9-1-1 works and what to expect when they call. We invite small groups to come in for tours, whether it’s an adult Citizens Police Academy, Girl Scout Troop, or High school classes – they are always excited to show off our center and what we do. The team attends as many local parades and events as possible.

Our team serves the community outside of work as well. We have several volunteer firefighters and rescue members, as well as a coroner on staff.

Most of all, our team shows up for each other. When another member of the team takes a bad call, we always check in on each other. They take time out of their day to check on their coworkers and talk to them. They love to celebrate with each other – weddings, babies, or just hanging out together. Our employees deserve to be recognized for the hard work they have put in over the years.”

Nominated by: Jessica Sanders, Supervisor

Winners: Ranee Michael & Ramsey Smith, Dispatchers

Location: North Richland Hills PD, Texas

“In October 2023, Dispatchers Ranee Michael and Ramsey Smith recognized we had a few team members struggling with health issues, loss of family members and a thank-you card that needed to be sent to another agency for assisting ours. They knew our team could use a boost of positive energy and there was a need for someone to take on the responsibility of ensuring cards were sent out and events planned – hence their creation of the “Happiness/Planning Committee.”

Since this time, Ranee and Ramsey have created fun dress-up days, transformed the dispatch center into a festive space during holidays, and organized engaging activities that unite and promote teamwork. These initiatives have significantly enhanced the morale and camaraderie among colleagues. The best to date being the baby photo guessing game and the holiday bake-off where the winner won the chief’s front row parking spot for an entire month!

Their exceptional contribution to fostering a positive and uplifting work environment through the establishment of the Happiness Committee is exactly what our center needs. Their initiative, enthusiasm and commitment to spreading joy and unity serve as a shining example to all. Their efforts have not only brightened the workplace, but also strengthened the bonds within the team, resulting in a more cohesive and harmonious work environment.

With heartfelt appreciation for their innovative team spirit, I recommend both Ranee Michaels and Ramsey Smith for a Golden Headset Award.”

Nominated by: Melissa Andrews, Captain

Winners: Zac Mann & Caitlan Reineke

Location: Marshall County Communications Center, Iowa

“On June 22, 2023, at 0132 hours, the Marshall County Communications Center received a 9-1-1 emergency call about a house fire. Specialist Zac Mann received that call for help, during which the male caller immediately advised Specialist Mann he had five kids in the house and he couldn’t get to them. Three Marshall County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched immediately and told there were five children trapped inside. Most house fires are considered a normal everyday occurrence, one might think, ‘ok no big deal! Right?’ Not on this night. Almost immediately after Deputy Rogers (6419) arrived, it was determined two adults and five children were still trapped inside. 

This next part is what makes every dispatcher’s blood curl in unsurmountable ways. 

The deputy advised he had to break windows. It was later learned the smoke was so black all he could see were small hands on the window. There was no way to get into the house and get everyone out safely the conventional way, so he made a choice to break those windows, a risky, but ultimately successful plan. The deputy was able to get all people out of the house. 6419 stated this over the radio. You could hear the deputy himself, choking from the smoke coming out.

Working in dispatch at any given time during your career, you understand the moments from the start of a call to the conclusion of a particular type of call. Getting the residents out and knowing all were safe is intense. We have certain knowns, and an understanding that if you dispatch for the county, help isn’t just right around the corner in many cases and may take a hot minute to get there. 

These communications specialists immediately recognized the situation and leapt into action, getting additional units started towards the fire from deputies, ambulance and volunteer Fire/EMS units. While also handling administrative lines, other 9-1-1 calls and the fire with children trapped inside, all at the same time. While Specialist Mann focused his efforts on the fire incident, Lead Reineke dealt with everything else, from the overflow of this incident, the administrative lines, to additional requests coming in from other responders within Marshall County. This is easy work for a team, right? This team not only handled the incident, but they also handled overflow and all superfluous traffic to assist each other in staying focused on the tasks at hand.

Through all of this, Communications Specialist Mann and Lead Reineke sat laser focused on their screens getting help there. They have made the calls, sent the help and are now simply praying their responders and those children make it home safe – knowing the dangers of not only the fire and smoke inhalation but the potential of a back draft from breaking a window which ultimately saved the children.

They were focused, zoned in on the tasks at hand and calm for their responders in the field and the community they serve, which, as we know, is desperately needed at times such as these. Some might say this is common for any dispatcher. This is what we do. That doesn’t take away the stress, anxiety, or impact on the dispatcher at the end of the day and at the end of these incidents. Any incident to this caliber is stressful, to have a team of such variance in tenure work so flawlessly together speaks volumes beyond measure.

This team performed like seasoned dispatchers, never wavering in their calm demeanor or in their stance while always displaying a controlled presence of mind as the ordeal unfolded, continuing through the resulting investigation and ensuring all was well. Throughout the incident, this team continued to not only perform each function as requested of them but anticipated the needs of those responders on scene that were also clearly affected by the events unfolding. Fires are not an everyday occurrence, although they happen. They are intensive, stressful and adrenaline filled.”

Nominated by: Rhonda Braudis, 911 Director