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APCO Announces 2008 Information Technologist PSAP Award Winner
Orleans Parish (La.) Communication District Systems Administrator Karl Fasold Named Information Technologist of the Year by APCO International
June 3, 2008, New Orleans, La. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the 2008 Information Technologist of the Year Public Safety Award Program (PSAP) award to be presented to Karl Fasold, systems administrator of the Orleans Parish (La.) Communication District (OPCD), at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 74th Annual Conference and Exposition in Kansas City, Mo. on August 4.
Fasold, who has been with OPCD since 2004, is responsible for the maintenance, support, modifications, and security of the technical components that comprise the OPCD systems, including hardware and software, administrative and enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1). The OPCD is the administrative arm of the New Orleans E9-1-1 system. OPCD's mission is to facilitate the provision of effective emergency response to the citizens of New Orleans. This mission includes providing everything from call center equipment, furniture, and facility to computer hardware, software, data, training, and technical support to the telecommunicators and supervisors who work for client agencies, including: New Orleans Police, New Orleans Fire, and New Orleans Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
"Mr. Fasold has demonstrated time and again his team spirit and his loyalty to the people he works with and for," OPCD GIS/Mapping Coordinator Katherine Cargo said in her nomination letter. "He is astute, responsible, and an asset to the OPCD technical team."
Most recently, he has been instrumental in the technical design, layout, and planning of facilities and equipment requirements for the construction of a permanent consolidated communication center following the devastating floods from levee failures after Hurricane Katrina. During Hurricane Katrina, Fasold set about turning a hotel grand ballroom into a 9-1-1 call center after the center had been damaged by flooding, leaving his family and enduring difficult conditions because of his sense of duty.
"APCO International congratulates Karl Fasold on being named Information Technologist of the Year," APCO International President Willis Carter said. "The work he has done in New Orleans is a great example of activities deserving of this great honor and the entire department should be proud of his award."
The APCO International 74th Annual Conference and Exposition will be held August 3-7 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Mo. For more information on the APCO International 74th Annual Conference and Exposition, visit www.apco2008.org. To obtain a press pass for the APCO International 74th Annual Conference and Exposition, please contact Courtney McCarron at (202) 833-9600 or mccarronc@apco911.org.
About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. |
