The City of Chicago's Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) is celebrating National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, April 13-19 and will hold an annual Employee Awards Ceremony on April 17.
 

30 Years of Service
Special recognition is being given to the first civilian call-takers and dispatchers who have been with the department since it was created in 1995. These employees have dedicated 30 years of service (and in some cases – more than 30 years) to the residents of the City of Chicago. OEMC was built in 1995 as a state-of-the-art communications facility to consolidate the City’s 9-1-1 operations and to improve service and response time by the City’s public safety departments.

The above photo from 1994, this is the first civilian class of dispatchers. Two are still with OEMC, PCOII Debra White (has served since 1985, beginning at 11 th and States as a Police Teletype Operator) and SPCO Rickey Hampton

The following Fire and Police Call Takers and Dispatchers have been with OEMC since 1995: Evans Braiser, FCOI, Christopher Burke, FCS, Ann Clancy, PCOII, Lyna Dunmars, PCOII, Vera Edmerson, PCOII, Staci Fiedler, PCOII, Patricia Griffin, PCOII, Rickey Hampton, SPCO, Lisa Jamison, PCOI, Jazib Khan, PCOI, David Martinez, SPCO, Maura Moroni, SPCO, Lesean Morris, PCOII, Daniel O’Donnell, FCS, Isabel Ortman, COM, Debra White, PCOII

During the month of April, OEMC will celebrate the important public safety role OEMC personnel performs every day, 24/7 for the well-being of Chicagoans. Whether it’s providing lifesaving CPR instructions, texting crime victims who are unable to talk to provide first responders with needed details; or coordinating public safety and traffic for large events, OEMC works behind the scenes to ensure the safety of Chicago residents and visitors each and every day.

“I’m proud to recognize the extraordinary dedication of the men and women at OEMC for the challenging jobs they carry out every day protecting Chicagoans and first responders,” said Frank Velez, OEMC Acting Executive Director. “This is an opportunity to shine a spotlight on OEMC employees as the driving force behind public safety in Chicago as they perform their critical roles for the safety and well-being of our residents.”

OEMC Employee Awards and Special Recognition
During National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, OEMC will celebrate 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers, Emergency Managers, 3-1-1 Operators, and Traffic Management Authority staff who have gone above and beyond in carrying out their duties to keep residents safe at an
employee awards ceremony on Thursday, April 17, 8-10 a.m.

Commendations, Awards of Merit, Team Performance Awards, and Other Award Highlights
Multiple OEMC 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers, emergency managers and other staff members will be receiving individual and team awards for their professionalism and life-saving actions. Examples include the following:
 Multiple teams of 9-1-1 call takers and dispatchers who worked together to assist on-scene first responders from the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department for a multitude of public safety incidents.
 Recognition of emergency managers for their skilled professionalism and assistance during the 2024 Democratic National Convention 9-1-1 dispatchers working alongside the Chicago Police Department’s Vehicular Hijacking Task Force to provide vital information to responding units in the field to apprehend individuals committing crimes

Chicago OEMC App
Residents are encouraged to download Chicago OEMC App as a public safety tool providing alerts, weather reports and radar, preparedness tips, see street closures for events and even share your walk with a friend through CHI Safe Walk. The app is available through the Apple
App and Google Play stores. To immediately download, click HERE or visit the website Chicago.gov/OEMC.

For additional information on emergency preparedness information, we encourage residents to download the Chicago OEMC app, visit the OEMC website at Chicago.gov/OEMC. Follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications on Facebook(@coemc), Twitter(@ChicagoOEMC), Instagram (chicago_oemc_911), Bluesky (@chicagooemc.bsky.social) and

Threads (@chicago_oemc_911). using the hashtags #ChicagoOEMC #ThankYou911 #Smart911 #Chicago911 #BeSafeChicago.
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About OEMC
Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) oversees several functions that support public safety and provide assistance to residents 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. OEMC manages the following operational areas for the city: 9-1-1 call taking and dispatch; the 3-1-1 call center; emergency management; and traffic management. The OEMC coordinates with departments citywide, including the Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, in addition to various other local, state, and federal agencies as it relates to public safety planning and coordination for everything from large-scale special events to public safety emergencies and disasters. In 2025, the OEMC marks 30 years serving the residents of the City of Chicago. OEMC is committed to closely partnering with local, regional, state, and federal partners to achieve seamless integration and complementary missions.