The Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) recently honored its hard-working 911 personnel for their dedicated service to the city’s residents and first responders.
Several dispatchers and supervisors received awards at an April 11 ceremony at the Fire Administration Building as part of National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW).
“This means a lot to everybody to acknowledge all the hard work the dispatchers do, so it’s really appreciated,” said Supervisor Solomon Massele, who received a Distinguished Service Award.
The full list of recipients:
Distinguished Service Award
Outstanding Service Award: For Going Above and Beyond
Special Recognition
The honorees – along with all other staff members at the Fire Communications Center (FCC) – were praised for their resilience and for the long hours they worked under extremely difficult conditions during the early days of COVID-19 in 2020. They also received kudos for their ability to stay cool under pressure.
“These folks are the tip of the spear. They are the first of the first responders,” said First Deputy Fire Commissioner Craig Murphy, who presented the dispatchers with a proclamation on behalf of Gov. Josh Shapiro.
Mayor Jim Kenney, who attended the ceremony, also issued a proclamation declaring April 9-15 to be National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in Philadelphia.
“Events like this one offer us a chance to meet the people behind those calm and reassuring voices, and to express our gratitude,” Kenney said. “The City appreciates your compassion, understanding and professionalism more than you know.”
A few days earlier, Massele joined Chief Dispatcher Angel Rodriguez and Dispatcher Katreese Floyd to talk about their careers on “Let’s Talk Safety,” the monthly WURD radio show hosted by Fire Commissioner Adam K. Thiel.
The PFD also spotlighted several dispatchers on social media for NPSTW, and Battalion Chief David Kearney gave them challenge coins and a new sign for the FCC training room.
