Emergency Communicators Honoured

NEWMARKET -- The achievements of the people who are the backbone of York Region’s emergency communications system are being honoured tonight in at the Tri-Services Emergency Communicators Appreciation Awards Ceremony.

 

The awards are given annually to police, fire and ambulance telecommunicators for outstanding dedication, professionalism and achievement.  Communicators from York Regional Police, Georgian Centralized Ambulance Communications Centre (C.A.C.C.), Markham Fire and Emergency Services and Richmond Hill Fire Services will be recognized by their peers, supervisors, and local dignitaries at the ceremony at the Regional Administration Centre in Newmarket.

 

Established in 1996 as a way to recognize public safety communicators, the awards ceremony is part of Tri-Services Emergency Communicators Appreciation Week (April 10–16).  This year the Week includes an interactive educational display at Hillcrest Mall in Richmond Hill on April 16, where the public has the opportunity to meet the “voices” behind 9-1-1 and learn more about the 9-1-1 emergency response system in York Region.

 

A panel of independent emergency service personnel from the police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) determines awards for outstanding performance.

 

The 2004 Tri-Services Emergency Communicators Award recipients are:

 

Call Taker of the Year
Tara Fox, Georgian C.A.C.C. (Ambulance)
Sherry Warren, York Regional Police Services

 

Dispatcher of the Year
Noel Mortimer, Georgian C.A.C.C.
Chris Lawton, Markham Fire and Emergency Services
Cheryl Percival, York Regional Police Services     

 

Supervisor of the Year
Mike Gottlieb, Markham Fire and Emergency Services
Josie Badowich, York Regional Police Services

 

Outstanding Performance of a Team

 

Ambulance: (Georgian C.A.C.C.)
Michael O’Grady  Roberta Sheresky
Noel Mortimer  Sheila Kingshott
Jeffrey Lacroix  Nick Kiss
Peggy McKinnon  Manon Duchesne-Ethier
Julie Scanlan

 

Fire:  (Vaughan Fire and Emergency Services)
Jennifer Marshall  Dana Northover
Scott Robinson  Mary Carr
Kevin Ash

 

Police:
Lesli Quinn   Michelle Lowson
Lynne Clare   Joann Lightfoot
Kymm Dracup   Jacqueline Baak
Julie Lamontagne  Doug Bonathan
Shelayne Sturgeon  Lisa Campanile
Deb Dorken   Leslie White

Contact: Joan Prentice, Emergency Management Branch, York Region
  (905) 830-4444 or (416) 297-9696, Ext. 1230

 

  Kathleen Griffith, Communications Manager, York Regional Police
  (905) 895-1221, Ext. 7919

The Regional Municipality of York is committed to providing cost-effective, quality services that respond to the needs of our rapidly growing communities.  York Region is comprised of the following nine area municipalities:  Aurora, East Gwillimbury, Georgina, King, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill, Vaughan and Whitchurch-Stouffville.  For more information, visit our Web site at:  www.region.york.on.ca