News Release
April 11, 2023

This year, April 9 to 15 is 9-1-1 Telecommunicators Week, celebrating the City of Toronto’s dedicated emergency telecommunication professionals who are the first of the first responders and the calm voices answering every 9-1-1 call. City telecommunicators include Police, Fire and Paramedic dispatchers, call takers and administrative, operations support and management staff who have dedicated their careers to caring for others.

Today, Toronto’s three emergency services – Toronto Police Service, Toronto Fire Services, and Toronto Paramedic Services – held a joint ceremony to recognize their outstanding emergency telecommunicators through the annual Telecommunicator of the Year Awards.

Award winners are nominated by their peers and receive commemorative trophies to recognize their achievements. This year’s award winners are:

Megan Colicchio

Toronto Police Service: Communications Operator of the Year

Awarded for actions that led to the safe apprehension of two suspects and the recovery of two firearms. Communications Operator Megan Colicchio collaborated with her peers and adjacent police services throughout the challenging and dynamic event, while demonstrating a high level of professionalism and communication that ensured the safety of the public and officers at all times.

Platoon 1

Toronto Fire Services: Telecommunicator of the Year Award

District Chief Adrian Whiteman and Dispatchers/Call Takers John Hanley, Adam Donadel, Eric Pade, Gunther Steiger, Jenna Sheppard, Sam Totty, Dale Henry, Mehrdad Pourkamali and Maggie Szpakowska.

Awarded to TFS Platoon 1 telecommunicators for their actions on the afternoon on May 21, 2022, when an intense, rapidly moving thunderstorm – known as a derecho – passed through Toronto. During this extraordinary weather event, Platoon 1 diligently processed more than 500 emergency incidents between 1 and 4 p.m.

Norman Rivera

Toronto Paramedic Services: Senior Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) Leadership Award

Awarded to a Senior EMD who consistently demonstrates advanced leadership skills and creates and fosters a positive work environment. EMD Norman Rivera is a deserving recipient of this award. He has worked for Toronto Paramedic Services since 2006 and has been recognized for his ongoing, outstanding service to the community throughout his career and as a previous recipient of the Paramedic Services Merit and Communicator of the Year Awards.

Gary Bunn

Communications Training Officer (CTO) Mentor Award

Awarded to a CTO who consistently creates a positive environment for the mentorship of all staff, advocates for patients, peers and students and demonstrates initiative and pride in teaching. Throughout his career, CTO Gary Bunn supports his peers, while demonstrating sound decision making and improving the training process for CTOs and students alike.

Quotes:

“Every day, our City’s emergency telecommunicators are the vital link for countless residents and visitors when they need help the most. Their calm and reassuring voices are the first ones you hear when calling 9-1-1 during an emergency. Thank you to all of the telecommunicators at Toronto Police, Fire and Paramedic Services for your tireless work and congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Telecommunicator of the Year Awards for your outstanding service.”

– Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie (Scarborough-Rouge Park)

“Our communications operators are heroes! They provide life-saving services to residents and emergency services personnel. They remain calm and composed during stressful events, quickly build rapport with callers and provide reassurance that help is on the way. Every time I visit our Communications Unit, I’m even more impressed by their passion, professionalism and perseverance.”

– Chief Myron Demkiw, Toronto Police Service

“Hundreds of times each day, the calm and capable voices of our emergency call-taking and dispatch professionals are the first point of contact for our residents during emergency situations. Likewise, it is these professionals who work in collaboration with our Incident Commanders to safely and efficiently bring emergencies to resolve in Canada’s largest and most complex city. Congratulations to all Toronto Fire Services personnel and to each of our Emergency Services colleagues receiving this prestigious and most well-deserved award.”

– Chief Matthew Pegg, Toronto Fire Services

“Toronto Paramedic Services’ dedicated emergency medical dispatchers, call takers and Communications Centre leadership staff provide the highest level of care and compassion to Torontonians every day. I’m incredibly proud of the recipients of this year’s Telecommunicator Awards and all of our City’s dedicated emergency telecommunications professionals who work so hard to keep our city healthy and safe.”

– Acting Chief Bikram Chawla, Toronto Paramedic Services

Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Ashling Murphy
Toronto Police Service
416-808-7100
Dan Vieira
Toronto Fire Services
416-338-0763
Dineen Robinson
Toronto Paramedic Services
416-338-7598