Washington, D.C. - The E9-1-1 Institute announced the first annual
“E9-1-1 Institute Honors Awards” to highlight the critical value of 911 services and to honor individuals and organizations who have demonstrated extraordinary actions to save lives and promote 911 services.  The E9-1-1 Institute will receive nominations for the awards until January 16, 2004 and the awards will be presented at a ceremony sponsored jointly by the E9-1-1 Institute and the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus on February 24, 2004 in Washington, D.C.

“The purpose of the awards is to underscore the critical importance of 911 services and spotlight extraordinary stories and individuals who have demonstrated exceptional heroism and leadership,” said Gregory L. Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute.  “Although many challenges lie ahead to implement enhanced 9-1-1 services, we cannot lose sight of how 911 systems save lives.  We intend to use these awards as a way of reminding us all that we cannot take 911 services for granted.” 

The Institute will honor individuals or groups of individuals in the following three categories:

·        Citizens in Action Award to highlight a great survival story.  This award would honor a person or persons whose life was saved or protected as well as the 911 calltaker(s) and/or dispatcher(s) who played an extraordinary, lifesaving role. 

·        9-1-1 Professional Award to honor an individual(s) who has shown extraordinary leadership in advancing 9-1-1 on a regional or national level.

·        Media/Entertainment Excellence Award to honor a reporter, media outlet, or entertainment program that has helped to educate the public or present a positive message on 9-1-1 issues.

Nominations can be submitted filling out a nomination form available on the E9-1-1 Institute website: www.e911institute.org.

 About the E9-1-1 Institute.  The E9-1-1 Institute (www.e911institute.org) is a not-for-profit organization which provides administrative and policy support to the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus.  The purpose of the E9-1-1 Institute is to promote pubic education and awareness of E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues and serve the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus as a clearinghouse of information on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues.  The Congressional E9-1-1 Institute is co-chaired by Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT), Senator Hillary Clinton (D-NY), Congressman John Shimkus (R-IL) and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA).  Gregory L. Rohde, former Administrator of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, serves as the E9-1-1 Institute’s Executive Director.

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