They are the first of our First Responders and recently, the first ever graduation ceremony was held for them!
Over the last 18 months, the EPS Emergency Communications and Operations Management Branch (ECOMB) welcomed almost 100 new civilian Emergency Communications Officers.
It’s a rigorous application and training process and less than 6 per cent of applicants are successful in becoming an ECO.
The new ECO’s come to the Branch with backgrounds in law enforcement, dispatching for other emergency service, the military, education, healthcare, and customer service.
Last year ECOMB received over one million calls and dispatched 187,000 events to Patrol members.
ECO’s work in 9-1-1 and Police Call Evaluation to answer calls from members of our community who are in crisis and may be having the worst day of their life
They work as Police Dispatchers to manage many competing priorities and are the lifeline for members in Patrol and other specialized units.
ECOMB Director Kalie Anderson says ECO’s manage life and death events every day in the Emergency Communications center, “we call them the first of the first responders. They are behind the scenes and usually don't get the recognition that our more front facing members do. So today is all about recognizing their amazing work.”
The ceremony also recognized service and excellence with the EPS Emergency Communication Awards.
Congratulations to all award recipients including Communications Officer of the Year and Patrol Member of the Year!