- Brian Dodd, Manager 911 Communications Bureau, Halton Regional Police Service (Canada)
- Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner, Department of Emergency Communications & Management (Worcester, MA)
- Charlotte Joseph, Deputy Chief, City of Seattle – CARE Department (Seattle, WA)
- Whitney Moore, Communications Manager, Northwest Emergency Communications Center (Lake Worth, TX)
The Call to Recognize Excellence: 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Awards Now Accepting Nominations
NiCE today announced that nominations are officially open for the 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Awards — the premier recognition program celebrating excellence in emergency communications. Now in its 21st year, PSAPs’ Finest continues to spotlight the extraordinary individuals and teams whose skill, compassion, and commitment make a lifesaving difference every day.For more than two decades, the program has honored hundreds of emergency communications professionals. From the telecommunicator who answers the most critical call of someone’s life, to the supervisor guiding a team through a high-pressure incident, to the technician keeping essential systems running — PSAPs’ Finest recognizes the people and roles that keep 911 centers strong.Awards are presented across a wide range of categories to ensure every contribution is seen and celebrated. These include: Lifetime Achievement, Above & Beyond, Communications Center Director/Manager, Line Supervisor, Technician, Trainer, Telecommunicator, Innovator, and PSAP of the Year. Whether recognizing individual excellence or outstanding team performance, the program reinforces a central truth: every role in the 911 center is vital, and excellence is a collective effort.Chris Wooten, Executive Vice President, NiCE, said: “Emergency communications is one of the most critical and high-pressure professions in public safety. Every call, every decision, and every action taken by professionals in a 911 center directly impacts lives and the well-being of the community. We are proud to continue the PSAPs’ Finest Awards program in its 21st year, shining a spotlight on the individuals and teams whose skill, professionalism, and dedication often go unrecognized. This program allows us to honor those who set the standard for excellence in emergency communications and inspire the next generation of public safety professionals.”The PSAPs’ Finest Awards program is open to all emergency communications centers and their personnel — participation is not limited to NiCE customers. Nominations are submitted online and evaluated by an independent panel of judges, who assess each submission based on accomplishments, contributions, and community impact.The 2026 honorary judging panel includes:
About the Author
Linda Haelsen
Linda Haelsen is a marketing professional with experience spanning two decades. Linda joined NiCE Systems following the acquisition of Dictaphone where Linda had served as Marketing Communications Director. Prior to Dictaphone, Linda served in key marketing positions at Netkey, a kiosk software company, and MC3, a division of Dun & Bradstreet. Linda has published articles in many trade journals on topics spanning physical security, public safety and customer relationship management. She has traveled extensively throughout Africa and Europe and worked abroad in the UK. She earned her MBA from Northeastern University in Boston where she took part in a study abroad program at the École supérieure de commerce de Reims. She holds an undergraduate degree in English (with a concentration in writing) from Rhode Island College.
