2024 INENA Award Winners
INENA Public Safety Telecommunications Team of the Year
Awarded to telecommunicators from the Effingham County Sheriff’s Office and the Effingham Police Department:
FROM EFFINGHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
GENA BLAIR, CIARA BROCKETT, CHRISTAL CARLEN, ALEXIS JEWELL, ALISHA JEWELL, REBECCA NEU, ALYSA REARDON, JOSEPH VOGT
FROM EFFINGHAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
CHARITY HIGGS, LINDSEY LEITCH, CASANDRA MERRILL, PHARABE NORMAN, SHERYL VONDERHEIDE
The Illinois NENA Public Safety Telecommunications Team of the Year recognizes individuals who demonstrated professionalism and dedication as a team on the same incident or event in the 12 month period of September 2023 to August 2024.
On September 29, 2023 – a motor vehicle accident involving a semi tanker occurred on US Highway 40 near Teutopolis (tuh-top-olis), lead to the release of a large amount of anhydrous ammonia resulting in five (5) tragic deaths and five (5) severely injured people. Rescue efforts were extremely difficult due to large plume of deadly gas. The surrounding community was evacuated, and the incident was on-going for multiple days.
Effingham County 9-1-1 System Administrator Tina Daniels and Effingham Police Department Communications Manager Billie Bales shared, “During the incident, telecommunicators from both the Effingham County Sheriff's Office and the Effingham Police Department did an outstanding job of working together to ensure that help was provided where it was needed. They consistently checked in with one another, offering assistance and support. Furthermore, off-duty staff members promptly volunteered to come in and assist, demonstrating true dedication to their team. The telecommunicators maintained their professionalism throughout the incident, even in the face of the tragic news of multiple fatalities. They continued to provide excellent customer service to those who called, displaying unwavering commitment in their roles. Telecommunicators working this incident ranged from one (1) week to twenty (20) years of experience and demonstrated exceptional teamwork, dedication, and professionalism. They relied on their past training and experience throughout the incident. Those newer to dispatch learned as they went. All first responders returned safely home after the incident, and every effort was made to ensure the public's safety. One thing all agreed upon, regardless of their level of experience, is the importance of training.”
INENA ETSB Director of the Year
Awarded to: Phil McCarty
West Central Joint ETSB 911 Director
The Illinois NENA ETSB Director/911 Coordinator of the Year recognizes an ETSB Director/911 Coordinator for their leadership, professionalism, initiative, and diligence in serving their organization in the management and operation of their 9-1-1 System. The recipient of this year’s award is highly respected among his peers for his commitment to the 9-1-1 profession, and he serves as a mentor and role model for others in the field. Phil McCarty has served as the West Central Joint ETSB 9-1-1 Director since 2016. Communications Supervisor Jessica Sanders nomination for Phil includes, “Phil’s professionalism is evident in every aspect of his role. He maintains the highest standards of conduct, whether engaging with government officials, first responders, or the public. His knowledge of emergency communication systems, combined with his dedication to continuous improvement, has allowed him to make sound, informed decisions that benefit the region’s public safety infrastructure. One of Phil’s most remarkable qualities is his commitment to continuous learning and professional development. He believes in creating opportunities for growth, ensuring his team stays ahead of industry standards and best practices. This dedication to training not only strengthens individual skills but also elevates the overall effectiveness of the center. Under his leadership, West Central has become a learning-focused environment where employees are encouraged to expand their knowledge and abilities.” She also shared Phil McCarty’s leadership, professionalism, and genuine care for both his team and the community have made a profound impact on West Central Joint ETSB. His relentless drive to raise the standards of 9-1-1 services, coupled with his commitment to keeping up with technological advances and providing opportunities for employee growth, makes him an extraordinary leader who is truly deserving of this award. Congratulations Phil on being awarded the 2024 Illinois NENA 9-1-1 Director of the Year!
Excellence Award
Awarded to: Bailee Highbarger
Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office
This year’s award recipient, Bailee Highbarger, always puts her team first, and never seeks recognition for her outstanding efforts. She lets her actions speak for themselves and leads by example without ever asking for praise. Two weeks before Bailee was set to complete her training, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office experienced a devastating loss with the line-of-duty death of Deputy Christina Musil. Instead of spending her last 2 weeks of training being shadowed by her CTO, Bailee spent that time instructing seasoned telecommunicators, managers, and deputy directors on how to manage unfamiliar systems, procedures, and dispatch Dekalb County’s police and fire departments so her co-workers could grieve the loss of Christina. While playing the role of CTO, Bailee showed patience, confidence, leadership, and kept the atmosphere in the room light-hearted. Despite being told to go home and rest, Bailee continued to come in day after day, and work past her scheduled shift because she knew, it was the right thing to do. The following days after Deputy Musil’s passing, Bailee was a front line telecommunicator, who was acting as a supervisor and single handedly entered warrants and order of protections for the entire county. Bailee was not only an insurmountable resource to everyone who came to assist, but she was a familiar shoulder to cry on to every employee who came into the communications center during the week. Bailee’s knowledge and compassion should remind us of our purpose, and why we are here.
On August 25, 2021, the Community Emergency Services and Supports Act as we know and refer to as C-E-S-S-A., was signed into law. Section forty (40) of the Act required the Division of Mental Health to establish a Statewide Advisory Committee listing the specific representatives required for appointment to the Committee. One representative designated by the Illinois Chapter of National Emergency Number Association, and one representative designated by the Illinois Chapter of Public Safety Communications Officials are among the fourteen (14) members. Over the course of the past three years, Shelley Dallas and Brent Reynolds have represented their respective chapters and membership in numerous committee and subcommittee meetings. They have dedicated countless hours on calls, often spending time away from their centers, staff, and families, to identify the challenging issues that PSAPs and telecommunicators will continue to encounter due to the new legislative requirements. Our appreciation for your commitment and representation on the CESSA Statewide Advisory Committees, ensuring the voice of ALL 9-1-1 professionals is heard, and has NOT gone unnoticed. The 2024 Illinois NENA Thank You award is presented to Shelley Dallas and Brent Reynolds.
Thank You Award
Awarded to: Shelley Dallas, Director of Lee County and Brent Reynolds, Director of Glenview Public Safety Dispatch Center (Not Pictured)
The Illinois NENA Leadership Scholarship is awarded in memory of leaders who have passed while actively serving INENA. The 2024 recipient is Public Safety Telecommunicator Jennifer Hunter from Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center. Jennifer has 23 years of experience, and was recently been promoted as her agency’s first LEAD TC. In her application she writes, “Receiving this scholarship would not only provide me with the support to pursue my passion for leadership, but also reinforce that hard work, perseverance, and dedication will be rewarded. Attending the IPSTA conference is an investment in my future and will enhance my leadership skills to help my fellow coworkers.” Jennifer, on behalf of Illinois NENA, congratulations to you!
INENA Leadership Scholarship
Awarded to: Jennifer Hunter
Illinois Valley Regional Dispatch Center
THE ILLINOIS CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION
Award Nomination Process
The Illinois Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (INENA) is comprised of public safety professionals throughout Illinois whose mission is to foster the technological advancement, availability, and implementation of the universal emergency number 9-1-1 in the State of Illinois.
Achievement of this goal requires the active involvement of all Illinois NENA members, and at times requires significant efforts of those members, as well as non-members, to further and/or accomplish objectives in support of our mission.
INENA also relies on the support of members of the community at large that may not be Illinois NENA members, but may play an important role in the support and attainment of its goals. While it is not a requirement for any recipient to be an INENA member, we encourage everyone to become a member to share their energy and drive with the organization.
This is YOUR opportunity to nominate an individual or a group of people you feel have demonstrated the type of activity that best illustrates the mission and goals of Illinois NENA over this past year. Please take this opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication your counterparts, staff members, or others you know in the industry who have made a difference in the 9-1-1 industry in Illinois.
AWARD CATEGORIES:
INENA Excellence Award
Represents the result of a significant accomplishment that most reflect the success of Illinois NENA as a whole and its objectives during the year.
INENA ETSB Director/911 Coordinator of the Year
Recognizes an ETSB Director/911 Coordinator for their leadership, professionalism, initiative, and diligence in serving their organization in the management and operation of their 9-1-1 System.
INENA Public Safety Telecommunications Team of the Year
Recognizes two or more individuals from the same Emergency Communications Center who demonstrated professionalism and dedication as a team on the same incident or event in the past 12 month period (September 2023-August 2024). Team members may hold any titles or positions within the center.
INENA Thank-You Award
Recognizes individuals that most consistently render Illinois NENA service activity that supports the overall mission of INENA and the furthering of its objectives.
NOMINATION / SELECTION PROCESS:
Candidates may be nominated by a member of the general membership through submission of a “Nomination Form”.
TO NOMINATE SOMEONE PLEASE USE THE NOMINATION FORM FOUND HERE INENA Awards Nomination Form Please submit nominations to Tiki Schulte
Submissions Deadline: Submissions not currently open
Email: tkcarlso@mchenrycountyil.gov with “INENA 2024 Awards” in the subject line.
AWARD PRESENTATION:
Illinois NENA Awards are presented each year at the annual IPSTA 9-1-1 Conference.
Please direct questions to Tiki Schulte at (815) 353-1665
Committee Members
Tiki Schulte
Stephanie Kroll
Diana Stiles
Jodi Moomaw