Nominations Deadline is March 24, 2023
Chapter Award Nominations open!
North Carolina APCO is now accepting nominations for our 2023 Chapter Awards to be presented during the 2023 NC Public Safety Communications Conference. Take advantage of this opportunity to recognize a public safety communications professionals who have performed exemplary. Learn more about the awards...
2022 NC APCO Chapter Awards
Learn about the 2022 NC APCO Chapter Award Winners
2022 Nc APCO Award Winners
2021 NC APCO Virtual Awards Ceremony
View the full 2021 North Carolina APCO Awards Ceremony.
NC APCO 2021 Award Winners
NC APCO 2019 Award Winners
2018 NC APCO Award Winners
Chapter Awards
About the Awards
Telecommunicator of the Year
Sample Job Titles (Not all-inclusive)
Call Taker, Dispatcher, Emergency Communications Operator, Public Safety Dispatcher, Telecommunicator, etc.
Sample Responsibilities for Telecommunicator of the Year Candidates:
- Functions as a frontline dispatcher or call taker for police, fire, and/or EMS agencies.
- Operates telecommunications equipment to receive emergency and non-emergency phone calls.
- Operates radio equipment to dispatch, monitor and communicate with first responders
- Ability to prioritize multiple calls for dispatch to determine type and level of response necessary.
- Ability to work through periods of high call volumes and priority incidents without sacrifice to decisions and quality of work. Ability to obtain, prioritize and relay information from a caller to a dispatcher via CAD or manual systems. dispatch cards. Consistently thinks clearly and responds quickly to a wide variety of emergency situations.
- Calms, negotiates, advises and otherwise communicates with callers to obtain accurate and essential information necessary to establish priority and initiate a timely response to emergency calls.
- Operates all required computer and telephone system with essential peripherals and program applications efficiently.
- Assists other employees as necessary when not occupied with primary call answering/dispatch responsibilities.
- Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created, encountered or requested (i.e. cellular traces) in the performance of assigned duties.
- Coordinates with outside agencies to gather information, make referrals, or dispatch assistance (mutual aid).
- Works in a coordinated team manner; functions in a collaborative manner with co-workers to ensure a successful outcome.
Line Supervisor of the Year
Sample Job Titles(Not all-inclusive)
Dispatch Line Supervisor, Dispatch Supervisor, Dispatch Operations Shift Supervisor, Supervising Public Safety Dispatcher, Supervisor, Shift Manager/Supervisor, Communications Supervisor, Communications Shift Supervisor, Communications Center Supervisor, Line Supervisor, Operations Supervisor, Emergency Resource Supervisor, Telecommunications Supervisor, Senior Fire Communications Supervisor
Sample Responsibilities for Line Supervisor of the Year Candidates:
- Plans, organizes, establishes objectives; resolves difficult and complex operational issues; participates in the administration of a Communications Center, and supervises one or more employees.
- Is familiar with all operations and functions expected of subordinates and demonstrates that knowledge on a regular basis.
- Monitors and evaluates staff performance for completeness, accuracy and compliance with established policies and procedures.
- Recognizes performance issues and takes appropriate measures to correct, or praise employees.
- Is able to quickly prioritize and organize operational functions and makes appropriate decisions in stressful situations.
- Recognizes and mitigates potential issues within, or affecting, the Communications Center and is able to diffuse tense situations.
- Maintains a professional attitude at all times and ensures employees maintain the same.
- Promotes a positive working relationship with subordinates as well as supervisors, coworkers, and other professional entities.
Communications Center Director of the Year
Sample Job Titles (Not all-inclusive)
Director, Assistant Director, Executive Director, Deputy Director, PSAP Manager, Communications Center Director/or Manager, Communications Administrator, Communications Chief, Public Safety Manager/or Director, etc.
Sample Responsibilities for Director of the Year Candidates:
- Maintains appropriate contacts with the public, users and the media on the proper use of the emergency communications system.
- Responsible for planning and directing the daily operations of the Communications Center.
- Responsible for developing and monitoring the policies and procedures of the Communications Center.
- Serves on advisory boards and other professional organizations and fosters the professionalism of the agency.
- Maintains active liaisons with all participants, customers, emergency service providers and other departments and local, state and federal agencies relative to the operations of the Communications Center.
- Prepares and submits an annual plan, including budget preparation and administration, program goals and Capital Improvement Plan.
- Employs, schedules, counsels, disciplines, and evaluates the performance of Communications Center staff.
- Performs a variety of functions as directed that could include accounts payable and employee payroll.
Information Technologist of the Year
Sample Job Titles (Not all-inclusive)
Systems Administrator, Information Technologist Specialist, Information Technologist, Network Administrator, Systems Engineer, Senior Computer Analyst, CAD/GIS Administrator, Network Services Supervisor, NCIC/CAD System Manager, Technician, 9-1-1 Systems, Information Technology Coordinator, Senior Project Manager, Records Technician (Master Addressing Guide - MSAG Coordinator), Mobile/CAD System Administrator, Information Technology Specialist 4, IT Tech and Address/Mapping Coordinator, Operations Support Technician, GIS Analyst, etc.
Sample Responsibilities for Director of the Year Candidates:
- Provides technical support and performs professional work related to the operation and support of computer hardware, peripherals, and software applications.
- Participates in the evaluation and implementation of new computing technologies.
- Performs complex level application support work on the agency's computer applications systems.
- Provides project and program leadership to professional and technical staff.
- Provides project management for large scale support projects.
- Performs routine to complex level application support work on the agency's computer applications systems.
- Performs advanced level telecommunications work related to the purchase, installation, and maintenance of communications equipment.
- Performs technical work gathering, analyzing, and summarizing various types of data including GIS information
Radio Frequency Technician of the Year
Sample Job Titles (Not all inclusive)
Radio Frequency Director, Electronics Communications Technician, Telecommunications Engineer, Communications Technician Supervisor, Senior Communications Technician, Radio Lead Technician, Radio Technician, Technical Systems Administrator, etc.
Sample Responsibilities:
- Manages the installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment.
- Knowledge of current NFPA code adoptions for public safety in-building radio systems.
- Maintains knowledge of 800 Mhz, 900 MHz, and P25 radio communications systems and equipment
- Possesses experience in UHF/VHF radios, repeaters, digital/analog microwave and an extensive network of mobile radios.
- Demonstrates ability to work with many different user agencies.
- Possesses ability to provide information to assist in grant writing for radio.
- Prepares and maintains various records of maintenance and operation as required by the FCC including renewal of FCC licensing.
- Installs and/or oversees the installation of radio site ground, antenna systems, security systems, carrier equipment (T1, DS3), emergency power generators, fuel systems, towers, transmission lines, and site alarm status reporting equipment.
- Maintains current experience in state of the art electronic equipment repair, including bench repair and radio transmitting and receiving equipment.
- Plans for infrastructure additions, site expansions and improvements as necessary to insure coverage and systems reliability.
- Assist and receive training in analyzing, troubleshooting and maintaining the communications network and computer based systems to ensure inter-operability with other government agencies and offsite access in emergencies.
- Develops and presents written and oral recommendations, budgets, and schedules for upgrading existing systems.
Trainer of the Year
Sample Job Titles (Not all-inclusive)
Communications Training Officer (CTO), Field Training Officer (FTO), Communications Training Instructor, Career Development Coordinator, Manager, Supervisor, Training Specialist
Sample Responsibilities of a Trainer of the Year Candidate:
- Plans, develops, schedules and conducts on-the-job and/or classroom training for 911 and public safety communications call takers, dispatchers, and supervisors.
- Evaluates trainees' skills and job performance.
- Plans and/or develops advanced training for 911 public safety communications call takers, dispatchers, and supervisors.
- Assists with developing and enhancing trainees' professional knowledge, skill, and ability through in-service training or career development training.
Communications Team of the Year
This award is designed to honor two or more individuals from the same public-safety communications agency who worked on the same incident; event or project. Team members may hold any titles within the public-safety communications center.
Commercial Member of the Year
An award will be given to the individual who best satisfies the listed criteria. This award will recognize the Commercial Member who performs in an outstanding manner throughout the year.
Criteria
- Describe how the nominee presents a positive attitude of themselves, their company and APCO.
- Describe how the nominee demonstrates a professional demeanor, with special emphasis on courtesy, professionalism, and outstanding customer service.
- Describe the nominee’s willingness to do whatever necessary to help and assist customers in emergency situations.
- Describe the nominee’s willingness to attend and participate in chapter meetings, conferences, and other official functions.
- Provide a list of the nominee’s accomplishments and achievements in the last year that have promoted or reflected positively on APCO and our overall mission.
Craig Moser Award
This award will be given to a dedicated, committed North Carolina APCO member in good standing, who in your opinion has shown exceptional contributions to the betterment of the Chapter and promoted improvements that benefit all members.
Any NC APCO member may nominate another member. Nominations should be made in written narrative form, explaining, in detail, what the nominee has done to promote and enhance NC APCO. The Executive Board will then review all nominations, and a selection will be made.
No Executive Board Member will be eligible for the award during their term.
The person receiving the award will be inducted into the NC APCO Hall of Honors.