Awards

Georgia Emergency Communications Conference
Awards Nomination Process

GECC may present eight different awards for outstanding performance and contribution to the profession of public safety communications. Nominations may be made by completing the online form Additional materials should be provided to include audio tapes of any specific calls used to support the nomination. The GECC Awards Committee reserves the right to not make any award for which sufficient nominations are not received. Additionally, the GECC, Georgia APCO or Georgia NENA NENA may make additional awards at the discretion of the various governing bodies.

All nominations with supporting documentation should be submitted to the Awards Committee using the online form.

General Awards Criteria

All nominees should regularly demonstrate the following:

1. Positive attitude toward all aspects of the job
2. Willingness to be a team player; earns and maintain the respect of coworkers
3. Professional discipline and pride in the quality of work
4. Flexibility in task assignments and ability to adapt to unusual and special circumstances.
5. Ability to effectively answer, process, and dispatch emergency and non-emergency calls for service (except as noted below)
6. Multi-tasking skills
7. Minimum of two (2) years of experience in emergency communications (except as noted below)

Award Categories

Communications Officer of the Year Award:

This award is presented to an individual in recognition of their exemplary job performance above the call of duty, as well as the skills and knowledge exhibited in all aspects of communications on a daily basis.

Communications Team Award:

This award is presented to a group of two (2) or more communications officers for their exemplary handling of a specific 9-1-1 emergency or other situation that involves the coordination of multiple public safety responses and other emergency resources.

Communications/911 Center of the Year Award:

This award is presented to the Communications/9-1-1 Center that exhibits outstanding professionalism, leadership, and innovation, and service to the community it serves, as well as to its region and state. This may be demonstrated by the center’s contributions in the advancement of Public Safety Communications, including technology, management, training and community involvement.

Communications Director of the Year Award: 

This award is presented to the individual that performs the duties of the Director in recognition of their accomplishments in encouraging, motivating and supporting their employees. This award is not limited to the person holding the title of Director, but be awarded to a center’s Manager, Coordinator, or Assistant Director.

Special Award Criteria:  Nomination letter must describe how the nominee presents a positive attitude, demonstrates their proficiency/efficiency in their job duties, how the nominee has improved working conditions for his/her employees, how the nominee motivates his/her employees and his/her willingness to act as a mentor and role model. Describe how the nominee has improved the overall quality of service provided to the community. Provide a list of the nominee’s professional affiliations and accomplishments. Nominees in this category do not have to meet requirement number 5 of the general awards criteria.

Supervisor of the Year Award: This award is presented to an individual in recognition of their outstanding service as a Supervisor of communications and for the exceptional professionalism in the field of emergency communications that is demonstrated on a daily basis.

Special Award Criteria: Nomination letter must describe how the nominee exhibits leadership qualities on a day-to-day basis. Nominees must have a minimum of five (5) years experience in emergency communications and demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the profession.

Leadership in Service Award: This award is presented to an individual employed within the Communications Center in recognition of their outstanding service and dedication to the agency. This may be award to the Radio Technician, CAD Manager, Addressing/MSAG Manager, or any other support position in which the individual has played a significant role in the enhancing and improvement to operations of the center. Note: Nominees in this category do not have to meet requirement number 5 of the general awards criteria.

GECC Award of Excellence: This award is presented to an individual NOT employed within the Communications Center in recognition of their outstanding service, dedication for continued improvements to the agency. This may be award to a Vendor, Advisor or any other support position who has worked to strengthen public awareness and support of emergency communications and 911.

Georgia Peach Award: This award is presented to an individual child who has successfully used the emergency communications system during an actual emergency, thereby playing a significant role in the saving of a life and/or protection of property and helping to prevent a tragic outcome.