top of page

Criteria for Awards
All Nominations are Due by 1700 on February 28, 2025

NM APCO will provide banquet meals for up to 4 family members of winners

Telecommunicator of the Year

Eligibility - Nominees must have been employed in this category by a public safety agency for 2 (two) years or more. Nominees do not have to be members of NM APCO or NM NENA.

Responsibilities should include the following:

  • Functions as a front line dispatcher or call taker for police, fire, and/or EMS agencies

  • Operates telecommunications equipment to receive emergency and non-emergency phone calls

  • Determines situations from callers and ascertains all required information for dispatch of a call

  • Relays information to a dispatcher (if a separate position) via CAD or manual dispatch cards

  • Operates radio equipment to dispatch first responder units to request emergency services, receives radio traffic from first responders, monitors emergency and support radio frequencies

  • Maintains unit status and practices both decision-making and multitasking skills

  • Operates computer equipment to assist both officers and citizens with the retrieval of information

  • Maintains appropriate security and confidentiality of information created or encountered in the performance of assigned duties

Criteria as follows:

(Nominators, please answer each question as any questions left unanswered will disqualify the nominee)

  • Describe the nominee's public safety communications agency. Please include staffing levels, size and discipline (law enforcement, fire, EMS, PSAP only etc.)

  • Describe the nominee’s daily and additional pertinent duties and responsibilities.

  • Tell us how long the nominee has been at this job and any previous public safety communications positions the nominee has held.

  • Describe how the nominee functions as a team player.

  • Describe how the nominee demonstrates his/her knowledge of the profession and flexibility in task assignments. Provide an example of how the nominee may go above and beyond what may be required of an individual in this position.

  • Describe the nominee's personal and professional interaction, via radio and telephone, with agency clients and members.

  • Describe the nominee's overall performance throughout the year.

  • Explain how the nominee exemplifies the "customer service" skills that often define how the calling public and public safety agencies dispatched perceive call takers and dispatchers.

  • In one page or less, describe why the candidate should receive the NM APCO/NM NENA Telecommunicator of the Year award.

Supervisor of the Year

Eligibility - Nominees must have been employed in this category by a public safety agency for 2 (two) years or more. Nominees do not have to be members of NM APCO or NM NENA.

Responsibilities should include the following:

  • Is familiar with all operations and functions expected of subordinates and demonstrates that knowledge on a regular basis.

  • Monitors and evaluates staff performance for completeness, accuracy and compliance with established policies and procedures.

  • Recognizes performance issues and takes appropriate measures to correct or praise employees.

  • Is able to quickly prioritize and organize operational functions and makes appropriate decisions in stressful situations.

  • Recognizes and mitigates potential issues within or affecting the Communications Center and is able to defuse tense situations.

  • Maintains a professional attitude at all times and ensures employees maintain the same.

  • Promotes a positive working relationship with subordinates, coworkers and other professional entities.

  • Supervises more than one employee.

Criteria as follows:

(Nominators, please answer each question as any questions left unanswered will disqualify the nominee)

  • 1. Describe the nominee's public safety communication agency. Please include staffing levels, size and discipline (law enforcement, fire, EMS, PSAP only etc.)

  • 2. Describe the nominee's daily and additional pertinent duties and responsibilities.

  • 3. Tell us how long the nominee has been at this job and any previous public safety communications positions the nominee has held.

  • 4. Describe how the nominee functions as a team player.

  • 5. Describe how the nominee demonstrates his/her knowledge of the profession and flexibility in task assignments. Provide an example of how the nominee may go above and beyond what may be required of an individual in this position.

  • 6. Describe the nominee's ability to interact with others and successfully forge positive relationships with individual at all levels (consider citizens, subordinates, peers, administration, other entities within the emergency services profession, etc.)

  • 7. Describe any attributes, actions or practices that make the nominee exceptional when compared to other PSAP supervisors. (What sets this supervisor apart from other supervisors?)

  • 8. In or page or less, describe why the candidate should receive the NM APCO/NM NENA Supervisor of the Year award.

Director/Manager of the Year

Eligibility - Nominees must have been employed in the category by a public safety agency for 2 (two) years or more. Nominees do not have to be members of NM APCO or NM NENA.

Responsibilities should include the following:

  • Maintains appropriate contacts with the public, users and the media on the proper use of the emergency communications system.

  • Responsible for planning and directing the daily operations of the Communications Center.

  • Responsible for developing and monitoring the policies and procedures of the Communications Center.

  • Serves on advisory boards and other professional organizations and fosters the professionalism of the agency.

  • Maintains active liaisons with all participants, customers, emergency service providers and other departments and local, state and federal agencies relative to the operations of the Communications Center.

  • Prepares and submits an annual plan.

  • Employs, schedules, counsels, disciplines and evaluates the performance of Communications Center staff.

  • Performs a variety of functions as directed that could include accounts accounts payable and employee payroll.

Criteria as follows:

(Nominators, please answer each question as any questions left unanswered will disqualify the nominee)

  • 1. Describe the nominee's public safety communications agency. Please include staffing levels, size and discipline (law enforcement, fire, EMS, PSAP only etc.)

  • 2. Describe the nominee's daily and additional pertinent duties and responsibilities.

  • 3. Tell us how long the nominee has been at this job and any previous safety communications positions the nominee has held.

  • 4. Describe how the nominee functions as a team player.

  • 5. Describe how the nominee demonstrates his/her knowledge of the profession and flexibility in task assignments. Provide an example of how the nominee may go above and beyond what may be required of an individual in this position.

  • 6. How does the Center Director/Manager interact with his/her staff.

  • 7. Provide an example of the nominee's leadership abilities including his/her ability to inspire to promote innovation.

  • 8. Describe the nominee's involvement with other agencies and the public.

  • 9. Provide an example of the nominee's ability to demonstrate continuous learning and stewardship.

  • 10. In one page or less, describe why the candidate should receive the NM APCO/NM NENA Director/Manager of the Year award.

​

  •  
bottom of page