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APCO Announces 2008 Trainer PSAP Award Winner
Euless (Tex.) Police Department Lead Dispatcher and Communications Training Coordinator Debra Riley-Torrez Named Trainer of the Year by APCO International
June 3, 2008, Euless, Tex. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the 2008 Trainer of the Year Public Safety Award Program (PSAP) award to be presented to Debra Riley-Torrez, lead dispatcher and communications training coordinator of the Euless (Tex.) Police Department at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 74th Annual Conference and Exposition in Kansas City, Mo. on August 4.
The City of Euless Communications Division provides police, fire, and emergency medical services (EMS) service to approximately 51,000 citizens in addition to after-hour services for animal control, public works, and the street department. The Communications Division answered approximately 150,000 phone calls during the last fiscal year.
Riley-Torrez has been with the Euless Police Department for 28 years. She serves as a telecommunicator, a communications training officer, a communications training coordinator, emergency medical dispatch (EMD) instructor, Texas Crime Information Center (TCIC)/ National Crime Information Center (NCIC) instructor, 9-1-1 instructor, Citizens Police Academy instructor, and a lead dispatcher.
"Debra is an excellent telecommunicator and a teacher," Euless Police Department Communications Supervisor Cathy Moody said in her nomination form. "She has touched many lives in her years of service."
Earlier this year, Riley-Torrez was awarded the EMS Director Award in recognition of her dedication and commitment to the pursuit of excellence in EMD and her desire to give precise and concise pre-arrival directions to firefighters and patients entrusted in her care. She was also awarded this year the Civilian of the Year of the Euless Police Department for her dedication to teaching and for her job performance. In addition, during a supervisor's battle with cancer this year, Riley-Torrez temporarily took on that role and was instrumental in keeping the Communications Division running.
"APCO International congratulates Debra Riley-Torrez on being named Trainer of the Year," APCO International President Willis Carter said. "The work she has done in Euless is a great example of activities deserving of this great honor and the entire organization should be proud of her 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. |
