A career in emergency communications is measured not only in years, but in lives touched, people developed, and lasting improvements made along the way.
For more than 25 years, Brandy Medeiros has devoted herself to every one of these things.
The 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Brandy, Dispatch Supervisor with the Pleasanton Police Department in Pleasanton, California, for a career defined by service, leadership, compassion, and an unwavering commitment to making emergency communications better.
Brandy began her career as a dispatcher and has spent the past five years as a working supervisor who continues to lead from the console. Throughout her career, she has never stopped looking for ways to strengthen her center and support the people around her.
Her impact can be seen throughout the Pleasanton Police Department’s communications center. Brandy helped completely redesign its training program, transforming it into a fair, measurable, and progressive model. She also co-wrote a comprehensive dispatch training manual from the ground up. The manual has proven so valuable that neighboring agencies have sought it out as a model for their own training programs.
But Brandy understands that preparing new telecommunicators involves more than teaching policies and procedures. It also means helping them develop confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging. She established a mentorship team and helped create a wellness resource to support new dispatchers from the very beginning of their careers.
At the same time, Brandy continued investing in her own professional growth. While working full time, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees and achieved her Emergency Number Professional certification.
Through creativity, compassion, and a lifelong commitment to learning, Brandy has strengthened her center, developed generations of emergency communications professionals, and created a legacy that will continue long after her own time behind the headset.
To learn more about what inspired Brandy’s career and what this recognition means to her, we spoke with her about her 27 years in emergency communications.
What attracted you to a career in public safety/911 emergency communications?Brandy: I started in this career 27 years ago. It was always something I envisioned myself doing. Growing up, I had to call 911 frequently due to various domestic emergencies in my home. Yes, we were the “chronic” family who called all the time. The dispatchers I spoke with were always willing to listen to me and always got me the help I needed. I always knew I wanted to be that safe voice behind the phone for someone else one day.
What is your most memorable career experience?Brandy: It is difficult to identify just one experience because there have been so many moments throughout my career that have stayed with me. Some involved major incidents and difficult calls, while others were much quieter moments—like watching someone I trained succeed, which is my favorite. Training is my passion.
What do you most love about what you do?Brandy: As a supervisor, I love that there is always an opportunity to make things better. Whether it’s improving a process, developing training, supporting an employee, recognizing great work, or simply finding a small way to make our workplace a better place to come to every day, I enjoy being able to have that kind of impact.
What advice would you have for others thinking about a similar career path?Brandy: Stay open to every opportunity to learn and grow. Ask questions. Seek out training opportunities, volunteer for projects, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Learn—both good and bad—from the people around you, invest in your coworkers, and remember that how you treat people matters just as much as how well you do the job. Don’t forget about self-care!
What does it mean to be recognized with a PSAPs’ Finest Award?Brandy: Being recognized is incredibly meaningful to me because I was nominated by a peer, and there is no better honor. I see this recognition as a reflection of the people I work with every day. It takes a team to get the work done. I’m fortunate to work with people who care deeply about each other.
About the PSAPs’ Finest Awards
PSAPs’ Finest is an annual recognition program honoring excellence in emergency communications centers (ECCs). The awards celebrate individual and team achievements each year across categories including Lifetime Achievement, Above & Beyond, Communications Center Director/Manager, Line Supervisor, Technician, Trainer, Telecommunicator, Innovator, and PSAP of the Year.
More information can be found at:
https://www.nicepublicsafety.com/psaps-finest-awards
