I S H 9 P 1-1 M E M Official Publication of the MPD Emergency Communications Bureau
2023 issue 24
MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT
EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU
ABOUT US We are one of the busiest 9-1-1 centers in the country. We receive over 630,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 500,000 non-emergency calls each year.
ECB Monthly Mission This publication seeks to inspire and
The MPD Emergency
motivate ECB telecommunicators by
Communications Bureau
highlighting employee
(ECB) is the primary Public
accomplishments.
Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the City of
The selected stories and content are shared with the intent to disseminate
Memphis; and the only
useful information about the Bureau,
provider of Law Enforcement
Memphis Police Department and the
dispatch services for the
9-1-1 industry as a whole.
Memphis Police Department.
Furthermore, we aspire to increase transparency and communication
We consistently strive to meet
between management and the floor;
the call answer time standard
and improve overall employee morale.
of answering 90 percent of 91-1 calls within 15 seconds. colonel tracy burford emergency communications commander cerelyn davis chief of police, memphis police department
OCTOBER 2023
06
ISSUE TWENTY-FOUR
IN THIS ISSUE OFFICER PARKER
12
Antonae left dispatch and went to the MPD Training Academy. Now she’s officially one of the” Best In Blue.” Page 6
APCO 2023 Communications takes over APCO Conference in Nashville. Page 14
22 56
MEMPHIS 9-1-1 MAGAZINE Deranceque Sims, Editor-in-Chief Erica May, Editor
TACCOM UNIT The Tactical Dispatch Unit has been reorganized and refreshed. Page 16
TENA 2023 The Tennessee Emergency Number Association
CONTRIBUTORS Karonda Kirkwood-Umoh Sam Stamper Linda Hollingsworth
conference was held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. Page 20
Cyia‘s Back FROM 911 TO 311 After spending 11 months in the Public Works division, dispatcher Cyia Hill has returned to her roots in 9-1-1. I left dispatch because I needed a better work-life balance. I am the caregiver for my mother and needed a job that would enable me to be there for her. The amount of mandatory overtime had also taken a toll on my health and had become mentally draining. I was able to get a daytime, no weekends position as a dispatcher with Neighborhood Improvement. This allowed me to stay employed with the City of Memphis. In the Neighborhood Improvement division, we dispatched on 311 service calls as well as reports of residents living in unsafe living conditions; like mold and water issues. It provided the mental break that I needed. The call load was much lighter. We would only get about 6 call outs each day. I was able to use my skills from Communications to build their dispatch department. I trained everyone in the department on how to operate a radio and use proper radio etiquette/language. I had the opportunity to “ride-a-long” with some of the code enforcement officers. I was shocked to see some of the horrible conditions families live in. I’ve seen holes in walls, flooded basements and severe mold. Also, I learned landlords are not required to provide air conditioning in Memphis. They have to provide heat but not AC. Coming back has been easy. I received such a warm welcome from everyone. I spent time relearning the job with Jennifer Mutee and Lisa Booker. They both said they had faith in me and I didn’t need a trainer. They were right. It came back to me quickly and I have settled in on my new shift. Now that I’m on Charlie, it allows me to take my mom to her appointments in the morning. Another added bonus, is the amount of mandatory overtime has decreased. I’m glad to be back. - PRD Cyia HIll
Communications Supports Officer Parker Graduation night was surreal. Communications came out in full support as well as my family and friends. - Antonae
From Headset to Handcuffs, Officer Antonae Parker is a SHero. We interviewed Officer Parker to get the scoop on her transition and progress. She will always be a Dispatcher first. How has your perspective changed now that you are a full fledged officer ? I definitely see how the good officers are paying for the things lazy officers do. I also
What is your car number? I usually ride in 822 or 823's ward. Right now, I'm B823.
see that dispatchers don't nearly have a clue all the things officers have to do on various types of scenes, how tying up radio air time can be extremely dangerous, and how much officers have to pay attention to their surroundings for their safety and the safety of the citizens there with them. I made a high risk Traffic Stop one day, but the dispatcher kept raising me every 5 minutes asking if I needed additional time. I was trying to focus on the task at hand, but she didn't understand that. It was distracting which can be fatal. But also a lot of officers don’t understand how 911/dispatcher process works or how NCIC works. I do, and I’m gonna utilize it to help be an effective officer.
How is the FTO training going ? What are you learning ? Who is your FTO? My current trainer is the legendary Yzaguirre lol and he is very knowledgeable and supportive. I'm learning how to navigate conversations with victims, make arrests, how to present myself confidently in a police manner, not just as a person (which has a completely different appearance to citizens), and be an effective officer. He let's me go to all kinds of scenes.
What has been your most memorable scene so far? I had a short foot chase and it is my most memorable scene. The suspect ran, we chased him down in the squad car , he jumped into a random citizen's vehicle locking the doors, we had to make entry, and effected the arrest without incident. Best day so far.
🤣
Are you teaching your fellow officers proper radio etiquette ? I can't... (tears)... I'm at "Retirement" Farms Precinct. They have 4 digit IBMs and are stuck in their ways. Can't do nothing about it (LMBO)… just kidding but not really.
How was your graduation night ? How did you feel? Who came to support you ? Graduation night was surreal. Communications came out in full support as well as my family and friends. What do you like most about being the " Best in Blue". Driving this car is FUN. Going from scene to scene and meeting new people is REFRESHING. Helping those in need and being successful at it is GREAT. Eating off of these officer discounts is making me FAT!
What are you most looking forward to the most ? Definitely being a liaison between dispatchers and officers because there is definitely a miscommunication gap between the two. There is a lot we each could learn about each other's jobs. Officers don't understand Communications and Communications doesn't understand the field. I'm fulfilled. I feel like I mean something. I feel like what I'm doing now is actually appreciated. The citizens express their gratitude to me each and every day despite the climate the media portrays of officers in society right now. In Communications, you rarely hear anything positive, but out in the street, it makes me happy. There's so much more positivity in the world.
Officer Antonae Parker
VIP VISITORS
Jessyca and her mother Dayna
James with his daughter Arianna
Shalisa and her son Kyrie
Linda AND her daughter Keia
Erica Phillip’s daughters Serenity, 10 and Sariya, 5.
welcome to ECB! Greater Memphis Chamber President and CEO Ted Townsend and Chamber Senior Director of Sponsorships DeQuanda Smith visited the ECB on 901 Day. During the Bravo shift rollcall, they provided insight and background on what it is the Greater Memphis Chamber does and shared their support of public safety and Emergency Communications. It was a great 16 minutes super session. I decided to do a little research for myself and found that the team at Greater Memphis Chamber is doing BIG THINGS for the city. Through partnerships, innovation, and community outreach, they are committed to the City of Memphis and its growth and development. President and CEO Ted Townsend is committed to public safety and is a staunch advocate for both public safety and economic growth in the City of Memphis. He believes that these two issues are inextricably linked, and that a safe city is a prosperous city. Townsend has been working with city officials and business leaders to develop strategies to address crime and improve the
President & CEO Ted Townsend
quality of life for all Memphians. He is also working to attract new businesses to Memphis and to help existing businesses grow. Mr. Townsend believes that Memphis has the potential to be a great city, and he is committed to making it happen. Here are some specific examples of Townsend's support for public safety and economic growth:
S I H P M E M
• He has formed a Public Safety Accountability Group to discuss how the business community can offer pressure and support to make a difference. • He has been working with city officials to develop a comprehensive public safety plan. • He has been working to attract new businesses to Memphis, including a number of Fortune 500 companies. • He has been working to help existing businesses grow, including providing them with access to capital and resources.
D. Sims
visit https://memphischamber.com for more information
Mgr. Sims, Mr. Townsend, Mrs. DeQuanda Smith
Colonel Burford & Mr. Townsend
“Thank you for being so welcoming and supportive as I start my journey in my new position. You all have made this transition go smoothly for me and I am grateful for it. I look forward to continuing to help and service you anyway I can and being a part of the beautiful team/family that we are.”
SPRD Erica Morris "Send Help! " I've only been a Supervisor for a short time and I have learned a lot. It's more complicated than it appears. There is a lot of information to retain and it's easy to make a mistake. It's almost like starting a brand new job. I am getting better at it every day so bear with me while I get the hang of it. One of the biggest challenges has been adapting to Alpha shift time from Charlie shift. I keep thinking tomorrow is tomorrow when its really today. SPRD Francisco Lozado
The Shelby County PSAPs showed up to support ECB’s own SPRD Erica May at the APCO conference in Nashville.
Serious faces only Olympic Gold medal winner Dominique Dawes let’s Manager Deranecque Sims hold her gold medal What’s this all about?
“Just look and smile. We’re not buying anything”
Street Selfie
Tactical Communications (TacCom) Team is Greenlit Manager Jesse McCord ENP, RPL The Emergency Communications Bureau proudly announces the establishment of its new Tactical Communications (TacCom) Team. This trained team consists of specially trained Dispatchers equipped with advanced tactics, tools, and troubleshooting skills to significantly bolster support for the MPD Special Operations, TACT, and other stakeholders during major or critical events. In a bid to enhance their performance and professional standing, the TacCom Team members undergo training in collaboration with MPD TACT, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the National Joint TERT Initiative (NJTI). A highlight of their training regimen includes an initial “Introduction to Special Operations and TacCom” course that aims to foster stronger collaboration between TacCom Team members and officers during critical incidents. This course acts as a sort of exposure piece allowing members of TacCom and Special Operations to come together and learn from each other. TacCom interests must also complete a series of FEMA Independent Study courses available for public safety professionals. Essential courses such as FEMA IS-100 Introduction to Incident Command System and IS-700 Introduction to National Incident Management Systems form the foundation, ensuring that TacCom Dispatchers have a comprehensive understanding of public-safety events, both big and small. In addition to these, interests must also complete courses in IS-242 Effective Communication and IS-5 Introduction to Hazardous Materials. Beyond academic training, these dispatchers must demonstrate unwavering commitment, possess an exemplary service record, and show enthusiasm for continuous learning and professional development. Furthermore, TacCom is spearheading the formation of a local Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT). This initiative, in association with NENA and APCO, will act as a robust mutual aid response system during disasters. TERT team members, while equipped with basic TERT training, are also encouraged to be prepared for deployments in challenging conditions. Last year's Hurricane Ian serves as a testament to the importance of TERT. Ohio's TERT deployed 18 personnel to Florida, aiding in recovery post the hurricane. Similarly, in 2020, when a Memphis-based Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) encountered a COVID-19 outbreak, TN State TERT stepped in, offering support. The urgency of such units is evident. Like the Tennessee Task Force 1 in Memphis, which is a part of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue Task Force (US&R) and promises a response within six hours of a disaster alert, TERT aims to be a beacon of hope and assistance during critical times. While all TERT roster members will be a part of TacCom, it's not obligatory for all TacCom members to enlist with TERT. With the inception of the TacCom Team, the Emergency Communications Bureau has taken a monumental step in ensuring swift, effective, and coordinated responses to emergencies. Stakeholders and citizens alike can now look forward to enhanced safety and quicker resolutions during critical events.
PRD B Richardson, ECS T Simpson, PRD J Eley-Moore: ECS Simpson handle the 40mm Launcher used to propel gas or smoke by the TACT Team. Participants were educated on the most commonly used equipment of TACT and even went hands-on with some equipment.
Lt. Silvers speaks with PRD T Burton and ECS Simpson about the BEAR Vehicle Platform used to approach buildings by the TACT Team when responding to barricades and hostage situations. Participants were able to climb inside and experience the space as Lt Silvers provided situational education.
Inspector Gadget returns for some
More VIP Visitors The Raines Station FUSION youth group came to visit ECB. As part of their experience, Officer Riquel Jefferson had about 13 middle and high school students who were exposed to various professions both within and outside of MPD. We think they enjoyed Communications the most.
“It was exciting to see young minds desiring to be first responders.” - SPRD Paris Anderson “Bringing this group to MPD Communications has been a great experience for our participants in the past, as they’ve learned how calls are generated and how dispatchers operate. I know it would have a positive impact on the group.” - Officer Riquel Jefferson
SPRD Minor is a natural with the kids.
SPRD Anderson quizzes the group. They were ready.
She’s always talking, but this time it was different. Manager Deranecque Sims spoke to a full room at this year’s TENA Conference in Murfreesboro, TN. She shared her perspectives on why leadership is most times hard, sometimes fun, but always necessary.
They were excitedly waiting to “get their lesson”.
Charlie’s 1st Friday
The ECB UKG Admin team was nominated for the “Team Excellence” Award for their commitment to the implementation and use of the UKG time keeping system. The ECB UKG Admin team optimized the performance of the bureau utilizing and understanding the UKG application. Their work brought efficiency to the bureau's payroll. Using an automated timekeeping application and having dedicated Supervisors assigned to the process, management is better able to manage approval issues effectively, improve communication and collaboration with the bureau, and increase satisfaction and trust of employees. The ECB UKG Admin team has become subject matter experts in UKG by learning from the issues and applying the lessons learned for future projects. This team is awesome and truly appreciated.
Thank you SPRD Metrica Spears, SPRD Hazel Meriweather, and SPRD Ashley Boswell.
Quality Assurance Highlights Regina Webster, QA Coordinator
Community Connections
Sherriane Jones speaks to members of the Citizen’s Police Academy at Ridgeway Station. She emphasized the importance of remaining calm when speaking to the 9-1-1 operator, providing an accurate locationand making sure your home alarm zones are defined.
Colonel Kirkdoffer stops by Communications and shares laughs with Supervisor Pender.
Well Wishes for Jeremiah On his last day, Jeremiah made his rounds for a few pics and last hugs.
I was Jeremiah's CTO when he hit the floor at Communications. Over the years, I personally mentored him. As a result, we became good friends, and I learned as much from him as he did from me. I am proud of him and wish him the best! -Marvin Pender
We will miss his jokes, his style, and his cologne. LOL!