Smart911 Announces Second Annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards To Recognize 9-1-1 Call-Takers

FRAMINGHAM, Mass., March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Rave Mobile Safety, the trusted software partner for campus and public safety, announced today that nominations are now being accepted for the second annual Smart Telecommunicator Awards. In support of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, held annually in April, the awards program aims to recognize 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers from across the U.S who have demonstrated superb leadership, performance, compassion for callers, ability to inspire co-workers and overall contributions to their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).

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Individuals are encouraged to nominate 9-1-1 call-takers or dispatchers they feel fulfill these requirements at www.smart911.com/STA through March 22. Winners will be announced during National Telecommunicators Week, April 14-20, in order to highlight the critical public safety role these professionals play. The awards program is sponsored by Rave Mobile Safety's Smart911, the national public safety service, in partnership with the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) and the Denise Amber Lee Foundation.

"Every day across the nation, 9-1-1 telecommunicators work long hours, answer life impacting calls and mitigate stressful situations, all to ensure that citizens get the help they need, when they need it," said Tom Axbey, CEO of Rave Mobile Safety. "Effective emergency response requires strong public-private partnerships. As part of that, we want everyone to have an opportunity to honor those telecommunicators that have made a positive impact on 9-1-1 caller's lives and the communities they serve."

On April 1, finalist nominations will be posted online, kicking off a public vote that will run through April 5. Smart911 will announce the winner during National Telecommunicators Week and make a donation of $1000 to the charity of the winner's choice. Four regional honorees will also receive awards along with a $500 donation to the charities of their choosing.          

"The Denise Amber Lee Foundation was born out of a tragic breakdown of our 9-1-1 system at the telecommunicator level. No one knows how important the telecommunicator role is in saving lives than we do. We salute these exceptional, dedicated first link-in-the-chain responders that have been nominated through the years," said Nathan Lee, President, Denise Amber Lee Foundation. The Foundation's mission is to promote and support public safety through uniform training, standardized protocols, defined measurable outcomes, and technological advances to the 9-1-1 system.

Last year's winner was Jeffrey Harter of the Chenango County Sheriff's Office, NY who received the title for taking a frantic 9-1-1 call from a mother who reported that her 17-year-old disabled daughter was choking and unable to breath. Drawing off emergency medical dispatch training, Harter's professionalism, compassion and reassurance kept the caller calm during the desperate situation, enabling him to provide instructions that saved the victim's life. 

"I was very humbled by it. I'm still humbled by it," said Harter in an interview upon receiving the award last year. "It's a team effort. I tell the other dispatchers I work with, it's not just me receiving this award, it's you, too."

Smart911 allows citizens to create a Safety Profile online for their household that includes information they want 9-1-1 and response teams to have during an emergency. When a citizen makes an emergency call, their Safety Profile is automatically displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker, allowing them to send the right response teams to the right location with the right information. Fire crews can be aware of such things as how many people live at a home and the location of bedrooms. EMS can know about specific conditions for fast, precise medical treatment. And because profiles can contain photos, in the event of a missing child, police can gain an advantage, receiving critical information in seconds versus hours.   

Introduced just over two years ago, Smart911 has grown rapidly and is now available in 30 states and more than 350 municipalities. It has been credited with positively impacting emergency situations across the U.S., including a missing child case in Arkansas, and saving lives, such as a heart attack victim in Nashville.

About Rave Mobile Safety
Rave Mobile Safety is the most trusted software partner for campus and public safety. Used by leading Institutes of Higher Education and State and Local Agencies, the award-winning portfolio of RaveAlert, RaveGuardian, Eyewitness, Smart911 and SmartPrepare enables millions to feel safe, secure and connected. Rave Mobile Safety is headquartered in Framingham, MA. For more information please visit www.ravemobilesafety.com

Media Contact:
Marty Querzoli
Davies Murphy Group
[email protected]
(781) 418-2433

SOURCE Rave Mobile Safety