The E9-1-1 Institute and NENA Host
4th Annual 9-1-1 Honors Gala
March 13, 2007
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9-1-1 Community Service Award
9-1-1 Cares

The 2007 9-1-1 Community Service Award is being presented to a very unique community service organization – one that is solely focused on helping out the helpers.

When disasters hit our communities, most people put their jobs on hold to take care of the families and homes.  As people scramble to restore their lives, they rely upon first responders and the professional men and women who serve in emergency call centers and as first responders.

Founded by Kevin Willett, 9-1-1 Cares is a community service organization that is solely focused on taking care of those who serve others in times of disaster.  9-1-1 Cares was formed in the wake of the terrible events of September 11^th, 2001.  While working in New York City following the 9/11 attacks.  Kevin, who has been a long time educator of call takers and dispatchers, witnessed once again the enormous toll that a disaster such as that which took place at Ground Zero can take on emergency personnel involved with recovery efforts.

Because of this scenario, 9-1-1 Cares was born and a safety net was created to take care of those whose lives are incalculably changed by the disasters and traumas that so few of us fortunately ever are forced to experience.  9-1-1 Cares continues to support those who worked at Ground Zero in the days weeks and months following September 11^th. 

Kevin was also present following the devastation wrought in August of 2005 by Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita.  While giants such as FedEx and UPS were still attempting to re-organize their infrastructure in the damaged areas, 9-1-1 Cares had already alerted its members of their activity in the area and were calling for donations. 

However this organization does not only respond to large-scale disasters.  In 2005 9-1-1 Cares activated 11 times from incidents ranging from assistance for a dispatcher’s child who had developed bone marrow cancer, to the shooting death of a police officer, in the Line of Duty in San Antonio, TX.