This is the third year Toronto's three emergency services have joined together to honour their respective Emergency Communicators of the Year during National Public Safety Telecommunicator's Week. Toronto Emergency Medical Services Chief Paul Raftis, Toronto Fire Service Deputy Chief Darrell Reid and Toronto Police Service Director Kristine Kijewski made the announcements at 10 a.m., today in the atrium of Toronto Emergency Headquarters.
Toronto EMS Deputy Chief Gord McEachen said, in his opening remarks, "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is an opportunity to celebrate the important role Toronto EMS emergency medical dispatchers and all emergency dispatchers play in the health care and public safety system in Toronto. Our service wants to congratulate all emergency communicators across the province for the critical work they do in their communities every day."
"Communications Operators provide a vital, often lifesaving, link between the public and emergency services," Chief Bill Blair said. "Their dedicated, compassionate and unwavering work is recognized by today's award."
Deputy Chief Toronto Fire Darrel Reid said, "Our communicators play an important role in our service. They are a vital link between the person calling for help and our firefighters getting there to help as quickly as possible. They deserve this special recognition for the invaluable service they provide the community."
Chief Paul Raftis presented Communicator of the year to Norm Riviera. Mr. Riviera has worked as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher for eight years. He exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding 911 call taker. He is calm and professional, whether the emergency is a large multi-patient incident like the recent ice storm, when he did not hesitate to work sixteen hours to help his colleagues and the people of Toronto in need, or helping a father to deliver his new baby by giving clear instructions over the phone.
Deputy Chief Darrell Reid presented Communicator of the Year to Jessica Norquay. During the ice storm in December 2013, Ms. Norquay expertly handled over 500 separate events including three two-alarm fires, a Firefighter Mayday incident, and an evacuation of an entire senior citizens residence to a City of Toronto warming centre.
Director Kristine Kijewski, Toronto Police Service, presented Communicator of the Year to Communications Operator Joanna Jenkins. Ms. Jenkins has been in this role since 2002 and exemplifies the TPS core values of respect, integrity and teamwork. She was selected as Communicator of the Year for the manner in which she handled a call in April 2013. She was able to coordinate both police and EMS assistance to help a distraught 10-year-old girl who called 911 to report a potential murder in her home.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.
Toronto EMS Deputy Chief Gord McEachen said, in his opening remarks, "National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week is an opportunity to celebrate the important role Toronto EMS emergency medical dispatchers and all emergency dispatchers play in the health care and public safety system in Toronto. Our service wants to congratulate all emergency communicators across the province for the critical work they do in their communities every day."
"Communications Operators provide a vital, often lifesaving, link between the public and emergency services," Chief Bill Blair said. "Their dedicated, compassionate and unwavering work is recognized by today's award."
Deputy Chief Toronto Fire Darrel Reid said, "Our communicators play an important role in our service. They are a vital link between the person calling for help and our firefighters getting there to help as quickly as possible. They deserve this special recognition for the invaluable service they provide the community."
Chief Paul Raftis presented Communicator of the year to Norm Riviera. Mr. Riviera has worked as an Emergency Medical Dispatcher for eight years. He exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding 911 call taker. He is calm and professional, whether the emergency is a large multi-patient incident like the recent ice storm, when he did not hesitate to work sixteen hours to help his colleagues and the people of Toronto in need, or helping a father to deliver his new baby by giving clear instructions over the phone.
Deputy Chief Darrell Reid presented Communicator of the Year to Jessica Norquay. During the ice storm in December 2013, Ms. Norquay expertly handled over 500 separate events including three two-alarm fires, a Firefighter Mayday incident, and an evacuation of an entire senior citizens residence to a City of Toronto warming centre.
Director Kristine Kijewski, Toronto Police Service, presented Communicator of the Year to Communications Operator Joanna Jenkins. Ms. Jenkins has been in this role since 2002 and exemplifies the TPS core values of respect, integrity and teamwork. She was selected as Communicator of the Year for the manner in which she handled a call in April 2013. She was able to coordinate both police and EMS assistance to help a distraught 10-year-old girl who called 911 to report a potential murder in her home.
For more news, visit TPSnews.ca.