Vancouver, BC – Emergency Communications Professionals of BC (ECPBC) representing 9-1-1 call takers, dispatchers, trainers, and communications professionals – have been formally honoured at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Canada Awards of Excellence, one of the highest national honours in the public-safety communications profession.
This year, two ECPBC groups have been honoured for extraordinary efforts that demonstrate the essential role emergency communicators play in protecting the public and supporting first responders.
Fire Dispatch Team honoured for outstanding response to 2024 Vancouver “firestorm”
On August 6, 2024, the Fire Dispatch team handled multiple large structure fires across Vancouver, leading to a flood of 9-1-1 calls to E-Comm. The fire at 414 E 10th Ave started around 4:30pm and quickly escalated into a four-alarm blaze that affected eight homes, with reports of explosions and a crane collapse while firefighters were on the scene battling the fire.
Fire Dispatch Team: Corey Kelso, Afton Brooker, Gurvinder Sandhu, Jeff Chin, Jennifer Fitzgibbons, Maya Jokhi, Pavi Thind and Susan Shorting.
“It was an honour to serve our community that evening. Thanks to the experience and professionalism of every Fire Dispatch Team member, we were able to coordinate multiple agencies and support firefighters through an exceptionally complex and high-risk response,” said Kelso. “Our team demonstrated what 9-1-1 operators and dispatchers do every day—adapt quickly and work together in unprecedented situations. Given the size and volatility of the fires, we are extremely grateful no one was seriously injured or lost their life.”
Vancouver Island Trainer named APCO Canada Trainer of the Year
E-Comm Vancouver Island trainer Tanya Silletta has been named APCO Canada’s Trainer of the Year, recognizing her outstanding leadership, mentorship, and commitment to developing the next generation of public-safety communicators.
Tanya has been dispatching emergency services for 30 years, joining E-Comm with her dispatch team when the new Vancouver Island emergency communications centre opened in 2019. Tanya not only transitioned into that role successfully but was also instrumental in helping train a surge of new 9-1-1 operators, call takers, and dispatchers and developing new training to respond to the ever-changing policies and procedures of the 9-1-1 system.
Tanya has directly trained more than 100 police call takers and 50 dispatchers – about 74% of the current staff at the centre. Known for her compassion, calm presence, and unwavering support of trainees, she ensures new communicators are fully prepared to work in high-pressure, complex emergency environments.
“Being recognized nationally by APCO Canada is an incredible honour. I take great pride in this profession and love having the opportunity to support those entering the world of emergency services as the first, first responder,” said Silletta.”I lead with passion for this industry, and that passion has shaped a career filled with opportunity, purpose, and incredible experiences.”
“This award reinforces my commitment to continue advocating, innovating, and leading with integrity,” added Silletta. “Every improvement we make, every time we remain focused on officer safety, every life we help protect, those are the things that matter the most. Officer safety is a professional priority for me and something I will champion for as long as I have the privilege to serve, and teaching others about it is extremely important to me.”
“We are incredibly proud to see our members honoured on the national stage,” said Donald Grant, President of the Emergency Communications Professionals of BC. “APCO Canada’s recognition reflects the skill, compassion, and professionalism our operators bring to every call. Their work is often unseen, but always essential, and it means so much to see it acknowledged at this level.”
Grant emphasized that emergency communications professionals are one part of a much larger emergency response network. “Call takers and dispatchers work hand-in-hand with police officers, firefighters, paramedics, and other frontline responders. The strength of B.C.’s emergency response system comes from our shared commitment to public safety, and we are honoured to work so closely with the partners who carry out this lifesaving work every day.”
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