On Monday, November 26th, Mayor Steve Bach presented an Above and Beyond Award to the “unsung heroes” of the Public Safety Communications Center. Mayor Bach was joined at this presentation by Police Chief Pete Carey and Fire Chief Rich Brown.
The Colorado Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) named the Colorado Springs Public Safety Communications Center Colorado Center of the Year.
The Communications Center exhibited teamwork, drive, unending energy, dedication, and personal sacrifice during the Waldo Canyon Fire. The workload and pace experienced by Communications Center staff reached unparalleled highs. A 12-hour shift was rapidly developed and all staff schedules were adjusted in a matter of days to maximize coverage levels. Throughout the event, staff volunteered to work extra hours, offered their homes to co-workers who were evacuated, and provided extra compassion and care to every victim and to others who needed help. The staff worked tirelessly to provide the exceptional services that the victims of the fire needed, while still maintaining a high level of service to the rest of the City. While the work environment was taxing, there was never a doubt that all the needed services would be provided in the best manner possible.
The dedicated personnel of the Communications Center routinely demonstrate exceptional levels of skill, compassion, service and professionalism designed to assist callers with any situation. Calls are processed using a structured approach that requires comprehensive initial training, on-going training and re-certification, and very high performance standards.

Police Chief Pete Carey, Communications Center Manager Tina Young, Mayor Bach, and Fire Chief Rich Brown
The 92 men and women of the Colorado Springs Public Safety Communications Center serve a city covering over 186 square miles with a population over 400,000, and a metro area that includes three more small cities. Normal annual call volume exceeds 630,000 calls including over 300,000 911 calls. Please join Mayor Bach in congratulating this amazing team!




