California Public-Safety Radio Association Honors Anaheim Police Communications with Awards

By Ryan Dedmon

            On April 16, 2009, the California Public-Safety Radio Association (CPRA) publicly recognized Anaheim Police Communications personnel for outstanding team performances handling two major incidents in 2008.  The 21^st Annual CPRA Telecommunicator Awards Banquet was held at the Quiet Cannon Golf Club in the City of Montebello .

            CPRA is a statewide association comprised of telecommunications personnel in the field of emergency communications (law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services).  Every year, the association organizes an awards banquet to recognize radio dispatchers, 9-1-1 operators, and supervisors who nominate their own to be honored for extraordinary individual and team performances.  The CPRA Southern California Chapter has more than 200 primary and secondary Public Safety Answering Points, and includes Orange , Los Angeles , Riverside , San Diego , San Bernardino , and Ventura counties. 

            Anaheim Police Communications personnel received two awards.  Among the routine calls, two notable emergency incidents occurred testing the skills of communications personnel.  When resources were limited and personnel exhausted, they still demonstrated outstanding team and individual performances.  CPRA proudly recognizes Anaheim Police Communications for their exceptional teamwork efforts in handling the two major incidents summarized below:

             On June 22, 2008, at approximately 0755 hours, citizens called Anaheim Police Communications to report a man at a hotel in the Disneyland Resort Area exposing himself to children passing by his hotel room window.  When officers arrived, the subject attempted to flee and shots were fired.  An officer was injured on scene and a “998” (Officer involved in a gun battle) was broadcast over the radio.  At this time, Dispatcher Diane Fellner established a perimeter and remained the primary dispatcher throughout the incident.  Dispatcher Sylvia Clark was the secondary dispatcher and handled notifications to outside agencies.  Dispatcher Dawn Hernandez handled routine radio traffic on a secondary channel.  Senior Dispatcher Michelle Edwards, along with Dispatchers Stacy Latshaw and Heather Maddrick, handled all incoming telephone calls while assisting in the officer down call.  Communications Supervisor Yolanda Gonzales managed the incident.  The suspect fled the location at the time of the incident.

            Later that night, shortly after midnight, investigators advised they were in a traffic pursuit on the countywide emergency channel (Red Channel) involving the same suspect.  The pursuit terminated on the 91 Freeway at Brookhurst when the suspect collided with two vehicles.  As the suspect exited his vehicle, shots were fired and the suspect was killed at the scene.  Dispatcher Lesley DiBenedetto was the primary dispatcher for this incident.  Dispatcher Jennifer Brandstetter assisted in the secondary position by making proper notifications and maintaining critical details related to the incident.  Dispatcher Melanie Wiley took routine radio traffic to a secondary channel.  Dispatchers Lori Murphy and Michelle Siemer and Communications Operator Heidi Geary handled all incoming phone calls and provided assistance to radio dispatchers as needed.

           Both of the above teams received a Chief’s Commendation for their roles in handling this incident.  CPRA chose the teams of dispatchers working this incident to receive “Runners-Up for Outstanding Performance by a Team”.

           On November 15, 2008, at approximately 0906 hours, Anaheim Police Communications received information of a large brush fire in the area of the 91/71 Freeways.  At this time, the fire was well outside of Anaheim City limits and was for station information only. 

            A short time later, at approximately 1045 hours, Anaheim Fire called for emergency assistance with road closures at various locations in Anaheim Hills.  This incident became the Freeway Complex Fire and Anaheim Police Communications became responsible for documentation of this incident.  Communications personnel handled approximately 5,251 incoming calls from 0900-1800 hours that day (a 384% increase in routine call volume for that day compared to the same day one week prior).  The ability of Communications personnel to handle this dramatic influx of calls and still provide a high level of service to the Officers and Citizens of Anaheim speaks volumes of their professionalism and dedication to duty.  CPRA chose the team of dispatchers working this incident to receive “Special Recognition”; and they are: Communications Manager Kurt Wallace, Communications Supervisors Debe Wuest and John Carter, Senior Dispatcher Steven Querry, Dispatchers Amy Blake, Shannon Jacobsen, Desiree Martinez, Stacy Latshaw, Long Pham, Communications Operator Ryan Dedmon, and Police Service Representatives Toni Washington and Cindy Cruz.   

           A special thank you to Chief Welter, Deputy Chief Hunter, and Captain O'Connor and his wife for showing their support by attending the awards banquet.  And a special thank you to all those who showed support in honor of "Dispatcher Appreciation Week" in April.