FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPCD Executive Director
to Receive Major Public Safety Industry Award
NEW ORLEANS, LA (January 30, 2020) – Orleans Parish Communications District is proud to announce that Executive Director, Tyrell T. Morris, has been selected by the NG911 Institute to receive the NG911 Awareness Award at this year’s NG911 Institute Honors Awards in Washington, DC.
An NG911 Institute award is one of the highest honors provided in the 9-1-1 industry, provided to only a select few individuals and organizations for hard work and dedication towards the progress of the industry.
Director Morris is being recognized for his continued effort to raise awareness about the issues relating to Next Generation 911, including Emergency Communications Specialist mental health and wellbeing, industry leadership development, and the 911 Saves Act, a bill currently before congress which would change the legal designation of Emergency Communications Specialists from clerks to first responders.
“I want to congratulate Director Morris for being recognized for the Next Generation 911 Awareness Award and for being a leader in improving the City’s understanding of emergency communications,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Director Morris has been instrumental in refining and elevating our Orleans Parish Communications District by consolidating our 911 and 311 operations. Under his leadership, the men & women of the OPCD have strengthened our 911/311 operations, improved response times and coordination with all public safety agencies, and implemented new technology — such as RAVE. Our 911 service providers are the direct line between residents and critical help, and we are so proud to be represented by the best leadership and team.”
The NG911 Awareness Award, presented by the NG911 Institute, recognizes an individual or organization that has promoted awareness for NG 911, the appropriate use of the 9-1-1 system, or the transition to a Next Generation 911 system. An NG911 Institute award is one of the highest honors provided in the 9-1-1 industry, provided to only a select few individuals and organizations for hard work and dedication towards the progress of the industry.
“As technology in the modern world evolves and continues to experience exponential growth, so does the public safety industry and our progress toward Next Generation 911,” stated OPCD Executive Director, Tyrell Morris. “There will be a world of opportunities and challenges that come with these advances in location technology, communication channels, emergency management and much more. Having organizations like the NG911 Institute, not only leading the discussion of how we meet those challenges, but acting as a megaphone for others within the industry to voice opinions, is paramount to our future success.”
“It is my great honor to have been selected for this award,” continued Morris. “It stands as further demonstration to me that OPCD, in partnership with The City of New Orleans, is moving in the right direction, and doing what is necessary to meet our Mission of Getting the Right People to the Right Place at the Right Time, Better than Anybody Else in the World.”
The 17th Annual Honors Awards will be held February 12, 2020, at 5:30 p.m. in the Foyer of the Rayburn House Office Building. Those who wish to attend the event may register here.
“The NG911 Institute is thrilled to present the NG911 Awareness Award to Tyrell Morris at the Institute’s Honors Awards in Washington, D.C. next month,” stated NG911 Institute Executive Director, Wesley Wright. “Mr. Morris certainly is a worthy recipient. The NG911 Institute’s Board was particularly impressed with the Communications Executive Leadership (CELA) program Mr. Morris and his team recently establish in New Orleans, and his effort to promote the 911 Saves Act that is currently before the U.S. Congress.
About NG911 Institute (www.ng911institute.org)
The NG9-1-1 Institute is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that works with the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus to promote deployment of advanced and effective 9-1-1 and Next Generation 9-1-1 (collectively, NG9-1-1) services throughout the nation. It was founded in 2003 and continues to be a valued resource for Members of Congress and their staff.
About the Orleans Parish Communication District (www.OPCDLA.gov)
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the PSAP for all emergency communications via 9-1-1, and non-emergency communications via 3-1-1, within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 150 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
The Mission of OPCD is to get the Right People to the Right Place at the Right Time, Better than Anybody Else in the World.
OPCD Contact:
Marcus W. Creel, MS
OPCD Public Engagement Manager
601.319.2024
[email protected]
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