Celebrating the professionals and teams whose skill, compassion and leadership power the first link in emergency responseLong before help arrives, someone answers. Someone listens through panic, brings order to chaos, dispatches lifesaving resources, guides a team through a critical incident, trains the next generation, or keeps the technology behind 911 working when every second counts.Much of this work happens outside the public eye. Its impact, however, reaches every corner of the communities these professionals serve.NiCE is proud to announce the recipients of the 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Awards, the premier recognition program celebrating excellence across the emergency communications profession. Now in its twenty-first year, PSAPs’ Finest has honored hundreds of individuals and teams whose skill, compassion, leadership and commitment make a lifesaving difference every day.This year’s recipients represent excellence across nearly every role in the emergency communications center—from frontline call handling, supervision and training to leadership, technology, innovation and center-wide performance.“Behind every successful emergency response is a 911 professional who helped make it possible,” said Chris Wooten, Executive Vice President, NiCE. “The 2026 PSAPs’ Finest honorees exemplify the judgment, compassion, technical expertise and leadership that keep emergency communications centers strong. We are proud to shine a light on their accomplishments and the extraordinary impact they make every day.”
The 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Award recipients are:
Director of the Year: David Klozik, Harris County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Dispatch Center (Houston, TX)Line Supervisor of the Year: Jordan Mitchell California Highway Patrol (Los Angeles, CA)Technician of the Year: Gerald London, Spokane Regional Emergency Communications (Spokane Valley, WA)Telecommunicator of the Year: Tramaine Vornes, City of Memphis Police Emergency Communications (Memphis, TN)PSAP of the Year: Milwaukee Department of Emergency Communications (Milwaukee, WI)Trainer of the Year: Veronica Taylor Peoples, Florence County ECC (Effingham, SC)Innovator of the Year: Brittany Kammerer, North Port Police Department (North Port, FL)Lifetime Achievement Award: Brandy Medeiros, Pleasanton Police Department (Pleasanton, CA)Above & Beyond Award: Jaclyn Higgins, University of California, Irvine Police Department (Irvine, CA)
Recognition for Work That Deserves to Be Seen
The 2026 recipients were selected by an independent honorary judging panel composed of respected leaders from the public safety community. The judges evaluated each nomination based on the nominee’s accomplishments, contributions and community impact.This year’s panel included Brian Dodd, Manager, 911 Communications Bureau, Halton Regional Police Service; Charles R. Goodwin, Commissioner, Department of Emergency Communications & Management in Worcester, Massachusetts; Charlotte Joseph, Deputy Chief, City of Seattle CARE Department; and Whitney Moore, Communications Manager, Northwest Emergency Communications Center.Judge Charlotte Joseph underscored the essential role telecommunicators play throughout the public safety response—and why their often-unseen contributions deserve greater recognition. “The work done by 911 telecommunicators is arguably the most essential function within the public safety network. Telecommunicators are highly skilled communicators whose expertise in call screening and processing sets the foundation for responders, detectives, and any forthcoming judicial processes. Telecommunicators have immense impact on the lives of many, and their work is often not seen or acknowledged. They are truly the unsung heroes of public safety, and I am grateful that our partners at NiCE are prioritizing the recognition and shining a light on their contributions to public safety.”For judge Whitney Moore, reviewing the nominations offered a powerful reminder of the extraordinary people working behind the scenes of every emergency response. “Serving as a judge for the 2026 PSAPs’ Finest Awards is a powerful reminder of the extraordinary people behind 911. These professionals are often the calm voice in someone else’s worst moment, making critical decisions, supporting responders, and carrying a responsibility most people will never fully see. Recognition like PSAPs’ Finest matters because it shines a light on the skill, leadership, compassion, and dedication required to serve in this profession every single day. Celebrating these individuals not only honors their accomplishments; it reinforces that the work happening behind the headset is essential, professional, and worthy of recognition.”Judge Brian Dodd reflected on the standard the recipients set for the emergency communications profession and offered this message directly to the honorees: “It is an absolute honor to congratulate the winners of this prestigious award—a recognition that reflects your extraordinary dedication, skill and grace under pressure in the emergency communications world. The work being done by the first first responders in our PSAPs is truly remarkable. In a profession where every second counts and the highest stakes are met with calm resolve, your outstanding performance and commitment to public safety truly set the gold standard. Thank you for your unwavering service, your leadership and the profound impact you make every single day in protecting and saving lives within our communities.”“911 professionals are the calm, steady presence behind some of the most difficult moments people will ever experience,” added judge Charles R. Goodwin. “Every day, they make critical decisions and provide reassurance during moments of fear and uncertainty. Much of this work happens behind the scenes, which makes it especially important that we take the time to recognize these dedicated professionals for their skill, compassion, resilience, and unwavering commitment to public safety. I am proud to see the 2026 PSAPs' Finest Winners get honored for the tremendous work they do serving each of their communities.
Twenty-One Years of Celebrating 911 Excellence
For more than two decades, the PSAPs’ Finest Awards have recognized the people and teams who keep emergency communications centers strong. The program celebrates not only the professionals answering critical calls, but also the supervisors, trainers, technicians, innovators and leaders whose work makes effective emergency response possible. The awards are open to emergency communications centers and personnel throughout the public safety community and are not limited to NiCE customers.To the 2026 honorees: Congratulations, and thank you. Thank you for answering when your communities call. Thank you for supporting the people beside you, advancing the profession and demonstrating what excellence in emergency communications looks like.Learn more by visiting the PSAPs’ Finest website.
