Control Room Awards celebrate unsung heroes

Gemma Honey from Lincolnshire Police won the Control Room Call Taker of the Year, sponsored by The Emergency Services Show and Emergency Services Times. The award was presented by David Brown and was collected by Gemma’s colleagues.

Hidden heroes of the control room community have been honoured for their amazing work saving lives, safeguarding the public and supporting good causes. The APD Control Room Awards 2019 have shone a welcome spotlight on the behind-the-scenes stars who epitomise the very best of public service.

The APD Control Room Awards winners were announced during an emotional evening at the De Vere Orchard Hotel in Nottingham on 7 March. The inspirational winners exemplify the extraordinary professionalism, resilience and selflessness of control room staff and teams.

Staged for the second year, the 2019 awards attracted almost 400 nominations from more than 60 organisations committed to serving the public and safeguarding society.

The awards are run by APD Communications, which develops critical, life-saving software used by the police and other emergency services organisations across the UK, as well as transport and aviation operations nationally and internationally.

APD Managing Director Mike Isherwood said, “We launched these awards because we felt very strongly that the remarkable work of control room staff needed to be more widely recognised and publicly appreciated. We’re delighted the control room community has embraced the opportunity and so many unsung heroes are being put forward.

“There is such a powerful cultural thread running through the winners and nominees, both individuals and teams. They are all utterly selfless and absolutely dedicated to public service. They provide a snapshot of the thousands of people working in emergency control rooms and who serve and protect the public, hour after hour, day after day.”

Leading tech company telent Technology Services is the Platinum Partner of the awards and also sponsored the Award for Services to the Public.

Barry Zielinski, telent’s General Manager, Public Safety & Defence, said, “After only two years the Control Room Awards are already well established as part of control room culture and are bringing to light wonderful and inspiring examples of the very best in public service. We’re proud to play our part in providing this platform to celebrate people and teams who perform their duties with extraordinary professionalism, dedication and skill.”

The APD Control Room Awards 2019 judges were: Mike Isherwood, Managing Director, APD Communications; Chris Dreyfus-Gibson, Vice Chairman, ICCRA; Sue Noyes, former Chief Executive of East Midlands Ambulance Service and Chair of The Ambulance Staff Charity (TASC); Cheryl Rolph OBE, former Assistant Chief Fire Officer and Director of Women in the Fire Service; Ian Thompson, Chief Executive of British APCO; and Barry Zielinski, General Manager, Public Safety & Defence, telent.

APD Control Room Awards 2019 winners

Community Champion Award, sponsored by Northgate Public Services
Winner: Kate Dewey, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Award for Services to the Public, sponsored by telent
Winner: Amanda (Mandy) Cassidy, London Ambulance Service

Control Room Dispatcher of the Year, sponsored by Plantronics
Winner: Bronwyn Langdon, Kent Police

Young Achiever of the Year, sponsored by Sopra Steria
Winner: Liam Masurier, Welsh Ambulance Service

Team of the Year, sponsored by Red Box
Winner: B Relief, Durham Constabulary

Special Recognition Award for Bravery and Courage, sponsored by Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure
Winner: Megan Brunt, Avon and Somerset Police

Control Room Call Taker of the Year, sponsored by Emergency Services Show and Emergency Services Times
Winner: Gemma Honey, Lincolnshire Police

Leader of the Year, sponsored by Affini
Winner: Samantha Grainger, Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Police

Lifetime Achievement Award, sponsored by BAPCO Show 2019
Winner: Mark Rodaway OBE, Maritime & Coastguard Agency

John Gilhooly Unsung Hero Award (dedicated posthumously to John Gilhooly who served in the Scottish Ambulance Service control room for almost 30 years)
Winner: Bernie Miggin, National Ambulance Service of Ireland

Control Room Ambassador of the Year
Winner: Tom Donohoe, West Yorkshire Police