FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 5, 2017
Contact:
Kraig Troxell, Public Information Officer, 703-771-5278
Kraig.Troxell@loudoun.gov
Alex Kowalski, Public Information Officer, 703-777-0625
Aleksandra.Kowalski@loudoun.gov
LCSO Emergency Communications Staff Recognized at Annual Tri-State Telecommunicators Awards
Loudoun County, VA – The second full week of April marks National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week recognizing the selfless, heroic work of the 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers responding to calls for help throughout the United States.
Every single day in Loudoun County, the 38 members of the Loudoun Sheriff’s Emergency Communications Center (ECC) telecommunications staff efficiently answer and dispatch a wide variety of critical situations and concerns. In 2016, Loudoun County Sheriff’s Dispatchers answered 35,952 911 emergency calls and 160,146 non-emergency calls.
As part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, three members of the ECC were recognized Saturday, April 1, 2017 at the 23rd Tri-State Telecommunicators Banquet and Awards Ceremony held in Hagerstown, Md. Recognized from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Communications Center were Tammy Marcum, Jorge Mejia-Martinez and Mike Crowe.
-Jorge Mejia-Martinez and Mike Crowe were recognized for their support to the ECC in 2016. This past year, along with performing their normal dispatching duties, they assisted with performing upgrades to the communications system, and continued assisting with training for a new Computer Aided Dispatching (P1 CAD) system.
-Tammy Marcum was recognized for her dedication to her duties and for her handling of a particularly difficult call.
The ECC staff also recognized First Lieutenant Craig Schleiden for his continued support of the communications center through the development and implementation of the new CAD system.
“These emergency communications professionals provide a critical link between residents and first responders,” said Loudoun Sheriff Chapman. “They handle vital information in a stressful environment during any crisis. I am pleased these skilled telecommunicators are being recognized for their dedication to their profession,” added Chapman.
The Loudoun County Sheriff's ECC personnel must complete an extensive classroom and on-the-job training for these highly technical positions. The training ensures dispatchers are proficient with computer technology, law enforcement procedures, crisis intervention, and are effective and compassionate in assisting Loudoun County residents in crisis situations.
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