Telecommunicator of the Year Award
The TN APCO Telecommunicator of the Year Award recognizes an exceptional public safety telecommunicator who demonstrates outstanding professionalism, service, leadership, compassion, and dedication to the 9-1-1 profession.
The recipient should represent the highest standards of public safety communications and positively impact their agency, coworkers, responders, and community.
Eligibility
Nominees must:
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Be currently employed as a public safety telecommunicator, dispatcher, communications officer, or equivalent frontline position within a Tennessee Public Safety Communications/Emergency Communications Center.
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Have been actively employed in public safety communications for a minimum of one year at the time of nomination.
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Be in good standing with their employing agency.
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Spend a significant portion of their regular duties directly supporting emergency communications and/or call processing.
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Not be required to hold TN APCO membership to be nominated unless otherwise determined by the TN APCO Board.
Supervisors and managers whose primary responsibilities are administrative should be considered for other applicable TN APCO recognition awards rather than Telecommunicator of the Year.
1. Excellence in Public Safety Communications – 25%
Demonstrates exceptional skill and professionalism in handling emergency and non-emergency communications.
Examples may include:
● Outstanding call-taking or dispatch performance
● Ability to remain calm and effective during critical incidents
● Strong decision-making and situational awareness
● Accurate and effective communication
● Consistently high standards of performance
2. Commitment to Service – 20%
Demonstrates dedication to serving the public, responders, coworkers, and the agency.
Consideration may include:
● Compassion and empathy toward callers
● Commitment to public and responder safety
● Willingness to go beyond normal expectations
● Dependability and dedication to the ECC and community
3. Teamwork & Positive Influence – 20%
Contributes to a positive and professional workplace.
Examples may include:
● Supporting and encouraging coworkers
● Assisting new or struggling team members
● Promoting teamwork during challenging situations
● Demonstrating professionalism and respect
● Positively influencing center culture and morale
4. Leadership & Initiative – 15%
Leadership does not require a title. Nominees should demonstrate initiative and positively influence those around them.
Examples may include:
● Serving as a mentor or informal leader
● Identifying solutions to problems
● Taking initiative to improve operations or training
● Encouraging professional development
● Leading by example
5. Professional Growth & Commitment to 9-1-1 – 10%
Demonstrates a commitment to continued learning and advancement of the emergency communications profession.
Examples may include:
● Participation in continuing education
● Professional certifications
● Involvement in training or mentoring
● Participation in APCO or other professional organizations
● Sharing knowledge with coworkers
6. Exceptional Achievement or Impact – 10%
Demonstrates an accomplishment, action, or sustained contribution that distinguishes the nominee.
This may include:
● Exceptional performance during a critical incident
● Life-saving actions
● Significant contribution to an agency initiative
● Community outreach
● Sustained exceptional performance throughout the year
A single heroic or high-profile incident is not required. TN APCO recognizes that extraordinary telecommunicators often demonstrate excellence through consistent service,
professionalism, and dedication every day.
Nomination Requirements
Each nomination should include:
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Nominee's full name
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Agency/Emergency Communications Center
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Current position/title
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Years of service in public safety communications
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Nominator's name, title, agency, email, and phone number
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A nomination narrative of 500–1,000 words
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Specific examples demonstrating why the nominee deserves recognition
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At least one specific example or incident illustrating the nominee's impact
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Optional supporting documentation, commendations, letters, or other relevant materials
The narrative should answer:
What makes this individual an exceptional public safety telecommunicator, and how have they positively impacted their agency, coworkers, responders, or community?
Nominators are encouraged to provide specific examples rather than general statements.
Selection Process
Eligible nominations will be reviewed by a TN APCO awards committee or designated review panel.
Whenever practical, nominations should be scored using a standardized evaluation rubric based on the published criteria.
The nominee receiving the highest overall evaluation will be recommended as the TN APCO Telecommunicator of the Year.
The committee may verify information contained within a nomination with the nominee's agency.
Recognition
The selected recipient will be recognized as the
TN APCO Telecommunicator of the Year.
The recipient may be recognized at a TN APCO event, conference, awards ceremony, and
through TN APCO communications and social media.
TN APCO reserves the right to recognize additional nominees through honorable mentions or other special recognition when appropriate.
