| Telecommunicator & Technician of the Year | Recognition Criteria |
|International Winners | Maurice Courtright Award | Honorary Chapter Members | Weldon Joe Blair Award | |International Past Presidents | Presidential Award | 
|Life Members of APCO International | | APCO International Senior Members | 
| Radio Club of America | RPL Graduates & ENP Certified Members Lists |
 | NCMEC 9-1-1 Call Center Partners |

Telecommunicator of the Year and Technician of the Year Awards

There are four categories to recognize public safety communications personnel who have demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the line of duty. Nominations are closed for 2012.

The four awards are in the following categories:

Telecommunicator of the Year for Sustained Superior Performance- This award recognized the Telecommunicator who has maintained work performance far beyond what is normally required during the year. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Technician of the Year for Sustained Superior Performance- This award recognizes Technicians in all technological aspects of the communications center, including but not limited to radio, computers, phones, etc., who has maintained work performance far beyond what is normally expected or required during the year, or he/she has taken extreme measures to install or restore communications under adverse conditions. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Telecommunicator of the Year for Exemplary Handling of a Critical Incident- This award recognizes the Telecommunicator who handled a critical incident in an exemplary manner that positively affected its outcome. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Telecommunicator of the Year Team Award- This award recognizes the emergency communication team that handled an unforeseen or unusually challenging situation causing each nominee to handle additional responsibilities in addition to their regularly assigned duties. Nominees used uncommon methods to problem solve, teamwork to create a solution, and together were instrumental in making a difference in the outcome of the event. Download application now (available in Microsoft Word format).

Award winners will be recognized at the Awards Banquet in Wenatchee during the Washington State Chapter of APCO/NENA's Summer Conference.

Questions about the process? Please call (509)575-6058 and ask for Brenda Cantu.

Brenda Cantu
Yakima Public Safety Communications Center
200 S 3rd ST
Yakima, WA 98902
(509) 575-6058
  

Telecommunicator of the Year for
Sustained Superior Performance

Telecommunicator of the Year for
Exemplary Handling of a
Critical Incident

Technician of the Year for
Sustained Superior Performance

Telecommunicator of the Year Team Award

Recognition Criteria

International Winners

Maurice Courtright Award

Maurice Courtright
The Man

Maury Courtright was an instructor in electronics at Central Washington University when he was tapped to become the radio engineer for the Washington State Department of Transportation. He joined the NW Chapter of APCO at about the same time the “73 gasoline shortages hit the nation, and Oregon split to form their own chapter, taking nearly 40% of the membership. 

Those who knew Maury quickly understood that (in addition to family), he had two passions. One was electronics and communications and the other was flying his airplane. His position as radio engineer for Washington DOT was a perfect meld of his two passions: A reason to fly statewide in the performance of his duties, and a department that permitted the use of private aircraft while reimbursing for mileage.

Maury quickly made friends within the APCO family and added a third passion: The NW Chapter of APCO.

The shortage of fuel for cars did not affect aircraft as much, and there were no "lines" for aircraft to "gas up". When APCO membership and meeting attendance began to wane due to the travel difficulties, Maury took personal action. As Maury scheduled his work trips, he always tried to include side trips to the local agencies to promote APCO and offer his services. In fact, many times when he traveled to a chapter meeting, he would stop along with way and pick up members that would otherwise forgo the meeting due to scarce gasoline supplies. Using his airplane for long trips or his DOT car for shorter trips or when  inclement weather prevented safe flying, Maury became an unofficial ambassador for the NW Chapter of APCO. His easy smile and unabashed interest in his companions and their interests enabled Maury to draw members to the APCO meetings and take on chapter activities.  

A conversation with Maury was an open invitation to join him in a journey to become his friend. A friend you can rely upon and trust. A friend who encourages you to excel in all things and to become a better person.

In a conversation with Maury's supervisor, I learned that it was late at night but with good visual flight conditions that the accident happened. Maury and his friend, a trooper with the WSP, were returning to Olympia from a personal trip to California. It had been a long trip and it is speculated that both pilot and passenger were extremely fatigued. It is not known who had been at the controls at the time the plane crashed just south of the Chehalis River, but both individuals perished.

The WSP lost a good trooper and the WSDOT lost a good engineer. The loss set back WSDOT communications progress by seven years and NW APCO lost their volunteer ambassador.

Maurice Courtright
Award Recipients

 Deb Welsh - 2008

 Kurt Hardin - 2006

Peggy Fouts - 2004

Cory Ahrens - 1999

Washington State Chapter
Honorary Members

Retired Assistant Director Mark Morgan, Valley Communications Center. He oversaw Operations, including Valley Communications Center’s renowned emergency call answering and dispatching services which are modeled across the nation. As a key member of the Management Team, Assistant Director Morgan held several positions throughout his time at the agency; Interim Director, Assistant Director, Accreditation Manager, Operations Manager, Team Supervisor, Dispatcher and Call Receiver. He contributed to design and construction of their new building opened in 2002, yearly budget development, technology initiatives and policy recommendations. He began his service in 1990, retiring in 2010 after serving 20 years. Mark served our chapter well as our Treasurer 1998-2001 and President 2004-2005.

Retired Department of Transportation Commercial Vehicle Information Systems Manager Ross Morris has been an APCO member since 1971. During this time Ross served our chapter as the Westside Member at Large and in 1994 was honored with the Maurice Courtright Award, one of this chapter’s highest awards. He was elected as President to APCO National in 1995. During his term he was instrumental in promoting Telecommunications Training Standards for Public Safety. This effort led to the foundation of the National Public Safety Telecommunicator Training Standards which are used today. Ross is an APCO International Life Member an honor reserved for members who have made significant contributions to the organization. Ross’s passion and dedication has encouraged others to be involved in APCO and his vision of the future continues to be reflected in this chapter. *He is also an APCO International Life Member.

Retired Director, Port of Seattle. Phyllis faithfully served this chapter for 25 years including 2 terms as President, a member of the Executive Committee and other national and chapter committees. She has set an example for all of us in her dedication and
support of 911 needs. *She is also an APCO International Life Member.

Retired Director, Office of Wireless Technology, Washington State Department of
Transportation. Alan has served Apco since 1964 in a variety of capacities. Among his many accomplishments, he was instrumental in directing and organizing the nation's first statewide 800 MHz mobile trunking system for the Department of Transportation. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to emergency communications. *He is also an APCO International Life Member.

Principal, ADCOMM Engineering Company. Started ADCOMM Engineering in 1979 to provide public safety communications engineering. Since then has completed over 400 projects and 40 dispatch centers, mostly in the northwest. APCO member since early 1980's.

Department of Transportation – Radio Manager

WSP Bellevue as Station Manager. Two time past Chapter President.

35 years for WSP in Union Gap

Telecommunications career began Washington State Patrol in 1975. Joined APCO in 1976; elected as Secretary-Treasurer in 1977 and served several years; served as President and other positions throughout the years. 

During 24 years with State Patrol and over 3 years as a 9-1-1 Director, enjoyed instructor staff positions at Washington State Patrol Academy and Criminal Justice Training Commission and managing Telecommunications Centers.

Worked for King County Public Works

Weldon Joe Blair Award

Chris Fischer - 2004

Jimmie Hocutt - 2000

Presidential Award

The Presidential Award was created in 2010 to recognize an individual or group who has made a contribution to the communications profession that had or will have an undeniable impact to the entire profession. This award recognizes those that saw beyond their own Communication Center(s) or business(s) in order to accomplish what was best for the whole. Through their leadership, vision, adversity and strength of character our profession has been forever impacted.

Richard Kirton - CENCOM - 2011

James C. Quackenbush - 2010

International Past Presidents

The Washington State Chapter recognizes the contributions its members have made as past International presidents to foster, protect and enhance the spirit that is APCO International. All APCO International members owe the past presidents more than can be repaid. But we can continue to remember, and we can continue to express our gratitude that there have been and are people like these and communities that will support their service to our association. Thank you to our Washington State APCO International Past Presidents.

Chris Fischer - August 2008-August 2009
Richard Quantz - August 1965-August 1966
Ross Morris - August 1995 - August 1996

Life Members of APCO International

The highest membership honor the association can bestow is that of LIFE membership. The people listed have been designated Life Members of APCO International, an honor reserved for those who are members of any membership classification of APCO, who have made significant contributions toward the objectives of APCO International above and beyond the chapter level. Life Members have served a full term as President of APCO International or made at least five major accomplishments that have contributed significantly to the betterment of the association. Congratulations to our Washington State Life Members ~

Cory Ahrens - WSCJTC Telecommunicator Program
Millie Tirapelle - Rivercom
Kevin Kearns - iXP Corporation
Chris Fischer - Valley Communications
Alan Hull - Washington DOT
Phyllis Hull - Port of Seattle
Ross Morris - Washington DOT
*Jimmie Hocutt - State Emergency Management Division
*Richard Quantz ADCOMM Engineering

* Indicates deceased Life Members

Walk of Fame

Below are pictures of the bricks installed on the APCO Walk of Heroes for the Washington Chapter. If you are ever in the Daytona Beach area, we hope that you will stop by for a stroll on the pathway.

APCO International Senior Members

Peggy Fouts Grays Harbor E9-1-1 2011

Left to right: APCO International Past President Bill Carrow, Peggy Fouts, Grays Harbor E9-1-1 and K.D. Seeley, APCO/NENA WA Chapter Past President

Jim Quackenbush CAPCOM 2010

Wayne Wantland Yakima Public Safety Communications 2008

Mark Morgan - Valley Communications 2008

Chris Fischer - Valley Communications

Radio Club of America

Buller has worked in the radio industry since 1948. He joined Tacoma Power in 2000 after retiring from the Washington State Patrol. He also worked for Utah State University, Utah Power & Light Company and Rockwell International. "Pat Buller has made significant contributions to the radio industry and to Tacoma Power," said Steve Klein, Tacoma Power superintendent. "He has an extraordinary depth and breadth of knowledge that he uses for practical applications to improve day-to-day utility operations. All of us at Tacoma Power congratulate Pat on this award."

APCO RPL Graduates and ENP Certified Members

(APCO RPL = Registered Public Safety Leader)
Visit their website for more information!

List of APCO RPL Graduates:

Lora Ueland
Mary Sue Robey
Andie Hanson
Sandy Hogue
Jennie Salinas
Brenda Cantu
Cleo Subido
Tina McMillan
Mary Allen
Stephanie Fritts
Darlene Mainwaring

(NENA ENP = Emergency Number Professional)

Visit their website for more information!

List of NENA ENP Certified:

Sheila Betts
Bob Connell
Janice Cox
William Doolittle
Timothy Dunn
Peggy Fouts
Debbie Grady
Judy Ocondi
Robert Oenning
Terry Peterson
Imas Sakin
Jerry Schlesinger
 

NCMEC 9-1-1 Call Center Partners

View this link for more information.

Kittitas County (KITTCOM)
Multi Agency Communications Center (Moses Lake, WA)
Northeast County Regional Public-Safety Comm Agency (NORCOM) (Bellevue, WA)
Thurston 911 Communications (Olympia, WA)
Valley Communications Center (Kent, WA)