Allen’s public safety telecommunications staff is getting regional recognition for the way it handles 9-1-1 calls and educates the public about 9-1-1 service.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) honored the City of Allen Public Safety Communications Center with three awards during an annual banquet on Nov. 8:
- Communications Manager Shellie Taylor accepted the “TDD/TTY Above and Beyond Award.” The winner is determined by the total number of calls conducted using Telecommunication Device for the Deaf (TDD) and Teletype Writing Device (TTY) during NCTCOG’s fiscal year. This year, Allen Police conducted 2,166 TDD/TTY calls.
- Communication technician Sarah Hogue received the “9-1-1 Professional Award” for exceeding standards on a daily basis. Hogue works the deep night shift, often working with minimal supervision, yet routinely demonstrates self-sufficiency while staying positive and professional.
- Telecommunication officers Holly Hernandez and Jamie Gibson were named the “9-1-1 Public Education Professionals of the Year” for exhibiting exceptional public education skills. In 2016-2017, Hernandez and Gibson showed creativity and initiative in their interactions with groups ranging from elementary students to senior citizens. Though they work as full-time telecommunicators, they routinely make themselves available for public education events such as Allen USA, National Night Out and Fire Prevention Week.
NCTCOG holds the Regional 9-1-1 Emergency Number Program banquet each year to recognize the men and women who operate local 9-1-1 centers.