Fairfax County 9-1-1 Employee Awards & Recognition Program

On Monday, April 9, DPSC will be "kicking" off the week with it's 7th annual Telecommunicator Promotions and Awards Ceremony held at the Fairfax County Government Center at 7 p.m.  At this event DPSC employees will be recognized for the extraordinary work that they do 24/7/365.  Twelve different award categories will be presented as well as recognition of employees who recently were promoted.  Serving as Master of Ceremony for the night will be Public Safety Communicator III Lenora Shipman-Clarke.  The awards ceremony will open with the presentation of the colors by the DPSC Honor Guard followed by the singing of the National Anthem by Assistant Supervisor Sherrie White.  

These annual public safety telecommunicator awards will be presented on April 9:

• Superior Performance during a Critical Incident - Recognition of an employee who demonstrated proficiency above and beyond the normal duties while call taking and/or police or fire/EMS dispatching.
• Unit Citation - Recognizes a team of employees who demonstrated proficiency above and beyond their normal duties during a high risk incident or as part of an on going or completed project or program.
• Richard King Award - Named after former Fairfax County Police Chief and interim Fairfax County Executive, Richard King; this award recognizes a DPSC employee for their long time dedication and service to the Department of Public Safety Communications.
• Excellence in Support of the DPSC Mission - Recognizes a member of the DPSC administrative staff who assists the DPSC in the daily operation of the center.  
• DPSC "Rookie" of the Year - Recognizes a member of the DPSC who has made a significant impact to the operations division during their first year of service.
• Excellence in DPSC Supervision - Recognizes a Lead or Assistant Supervisor who makes a significant impact to not only their respective squad, but to the entire DPSC.
• Excellence in Call Taking - Recognizes a DPSC 9-1-1 call taker who demonstrates a proficiency in emergency and non-emergency call taking.
• Excellence in Police Dispatch - Recognizes a DPSC dispatcher who demonstrates a proficiency in law enforcement dispatching.
• Excellence in Fire-Rescue/EMS Dispatch - Recognizes a DPSC dispatcher who demonstrates a proficiency in fire/EMS dispatching.
• Excellence in VCIN/NCIC Teletype - Recognizes a DPSC teletype operator who demonstrates a proficiency in the Teletype operations.
• Excellence in Training - Recognizes a certified DPSC trainer who shows dedication and exemplary performance in the training function.
• Director's Commendation - Awarded by the DPSC Director to any DPSC employee, group of employees or combination there-of, for an act or acts that materially contributes to the accomplishment of the agency mission or for an act or acts that warrants special recognition in the public interest.

During the week of April 8-14, 2012, the Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications (also known as the 9-1-1 Center) will be celebrating Public Safety Telecommunications Week.    In 1992, Congress established the second week in April as National Public Safety Telecommunications week to bring recognition to the more than 200,000 men and women of 9-1-1 who everyday... as the First of the First Responders are instrumental in helping save countless lives and dispatching law enforcement, fire rescue and emergency medical services personnel.  Since DPSC was established in 2005, we have celebrated this week to express and honor the personnel of DPSC for the outstanding services they provide to the citizens of Fairfax County, the police department and fire-rescue department.

The month of April also marks the 4th annual National 9-1-1 Education Month.  In 2008, Congress passed legislation establishing the month of April as National 9-1-1 Education Month as a means of further educating the public of the importance of 9-1-1 to their safety and that of the community.  Please visit the Fairfax County Government Center lobby during the week of April 9 to view a public education display about 9-1-1 in Fairfax County.