Toronto’s three first responder services — Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services and Toronto Paramedic Services — held individual ceremonies this week to recognize each service’s Telecommunicators of the Year for 2021.
Telecommunicators Week is the annual celebration of all dedicated telecommunication professionals who are the City of Toronto’s “headset heroes” and who respond to thousands of 9-1-1 calls daily in the city. They include the City’s Police, Fire and Paramedic emergency medical dispatchers, call-takers, administrative, operations support and management staff, who have dedicated their lives to caring for others.
Mayor John Tory has recognized Telecommunicators Week and honoured Toronto Police, Fire and Paramedic Services’ staff by releasing an official proclamation: https://www.toronto.ca/city-go
Traditionally, the three services have celebrated together and in person. This year, for the second year, celebrations took place virtually.
Award winners are nominated by their peers and receive a trophy to recognize their achievement. The Award winners for 2021 are:
Toronto Paramedic Services:
Call-taker (CT) of the Year Award
Recipient: Elaine Holmes
For a CT who consistently:
• Demonstrates a positive attitude towards callers and peers
• Proves to be customer service-oriented
• Demonstrates an advanced working knowledge of communications systems and processes
• Demonstrates willingness to learn and grow
Communicator of the Year Award
Recipient: Yohannes Tewolde
For a communicator who consistently:
• Serves as a positive role model for others
• Provides proactive support to the entire team
• Demonstrates an advanced working knowledge of communications systems and processes
Senior Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Leadership Award
Recipient: Melissa Munns
For a Senior EMD who consistently:
• Demonstrates advanced leadership skills
• Creates and fosters a positive work environment
Communications Training Officer (CTO) Mentor Award
Recipient: Lindsay Hunt
For a CTO who consistently:
• Creates a positive environment for the mentorship of all staff
• Advocates for patients, peers and students
• Demonstrates an advanced working knowledge of communications systems and processes
• Demonstrates initiative and pride in teaching
Toronto Police Service:
Telecommunicator of the Year Award
Recipient: Christine Moore
Awarded for actions that led to the safe apprehension of an armed individual in crisis. The recipient is a dedicated individual who demonstrates the ability to connect with compassion and do the right thing.
Toronto Fire Services:
Telecommunicator of the Year Award
Recipients:
DC Karen Happell, Captain Chris Belford, and Captain Angela Libby
Dispatchers/Call-takers – Joanne Cote, Malcolm Gamage, Iyana Phakira, Corey Rowley, Angela Sibbald, Mehrdad Pourkamali, Kristen Scriver, Mitchell Sell, Adrian Olley, and Martin Brys
Awarded to TFS Platoon 4 telecommunicators for their outstanding service supporting Toronto firefighters throughout a fatal, three-alarm fire that took the lives of four occupants and injured two others. All of these exceptional telecommunicators demonstrated exemplary skill and teamwork under extremely stressful circumstances.
Emergency operators, dispatchers and communicators save countless lives everyday. They are there when people call for help and are heroes in public safety.
Please join me in thanking them for their outstanding work this National Public Safety Telecommunications Week.#NPSTW pic.twitter.com/lyXQFPog23
— Sylvia Jones (@SylviaJonesMPP) April 12, 2022
Quotes:
“Telecommunicators play a vital role in keeping our city and its residents safe and healthy. I want to thank all of the telecommunicators at Toronto Police, Toronto Fire and Toronto Paramedic Services who serve our city every single day. We know at any time of the day we can count on telecommunicators to answer the call and to send help when our residents need it. Every day on the phones, they are helping save lives and for that we are grateful. Congratulations to the Telecommunicator of the Year Award recipients for their remarkable and courageous work.”
– Mayor John Tory
“I am extremely proud of the recipients of this year’s Telecommunicators Awards. These four individuals represent the highest level of care and compassion that Toronto Paramedic Services Call-Takers, Emergency Medical Dispatchers, Deputy Commanders and Communication Centre leadership staff brings to their work every day. Their level of commitment and service to the people of Toronto is unmatched.”
– Chief Paul Raftis, Toronto Paramedic Services
“I am honoured to work with such extraordinary people each and every day. These dedicated professionals truly are the first responders, being the first voices Torontonians hear when they call for helping during an emergency. Congratulations to all Toronto Fire Services personnel, and to each of our Emergency Services colleagues receiving this prestigious and most well-deserved award.”
– Fire Chief and General Manager Matthew Pegg, Toronto Fire Services
“Communications Operators are often referred to as ‘the most important person you will never see’ and this year’s recipients are truly examples of why this is the case. Members of the TPS Communications team are faced with life and death situations every day and their calm, empathetic voices prove over and over again the value these dedicated members bring to the safety of our city.”
– Chief James Ramer, Toronto Police Service
Source City of Toronto
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