Industry leaders back special awards dedicated to unsung heroes of the emergency services

The awards celebrate the incredible, selfless work of individuals and teams who go above and beyond in police, fire, ambulance and coastguard control rooms, as well as in other critical control operations.

The leading UK association for professionals using or developing public safety technology is supporting the Control Room Awards 2023 with the creation of a brand new category.

The awards celebrate the incredible, selfless work of individuals and teams who go above and beyond in police, fire, ambulance and coastguard control rooms, as well as in other critical control operations.

The unsung heroes of the emergency services will be applauded at a special celebration at the Leonardo Hotel and Conference Venue, Hinckley Island, Leicestershire, on July 13.

British APCO, also known as BAPCO, which works in partnership to improve public safety through IT and communications technology, has created and is sponsoring the British APCO Control Room Innovation Award which has been introduced as an awards category for the first time this year.

The accolade is for a team or an individual who have taken a unique or innovative approach with technology used within the control room. This will have made a tangible difference for control room operators handling critical calls and members of the public seeking help and assurance. 

Nominations are invited for individuals or teams working in a control room, supporting IT and communications equipment, or delivering support from a commercial organisation providing advice, guidance and training.

Duncan Swan, Chief Operating Officer at British APCO, said: “Those who work in control rooms are unsung heroes and often don’t get the praise and exposure they richly deserve.

“The pressure they’re often under is immense and it’s vitally important that we recognise the people behind the tech. They’re inspirational on their own, but also work as part of a team, so this very special award will recognise an individual or group.

“Tech has never been more important in the emergency services control room space, which makes this an ideal award to launch this year. We’re proud to sponsor the Control Room Awards and create this new category for 2023.”

Saab UK, which provides public safety and security technologies that help to keep people and society safe, has also announced its support for the awards for the first time this year.

The company is sponsoring the Control Room Dispatcher of the Year award, which recognises outstanding skills and capabilities when handling 999 or 101 calls as a dispatcher on one occasion, or across multiple incidents.

Saab’s world-leading SAFE technology centralises contact management, command, control and communication for the emergency services.

It assesses threat, harm and risk posed to the public and first responders, as well as quickly and accurately identifying repeat contact and vulnerable people, enabling control room staff to make critical decisions.

Nina Hickson, Sales and Marketing Director, Public Safety Solutions, at Saab UK, said: “I worked as a call taker and dispatcher with Cheshire Police for 15 years and the Control Room Awards are very close to our hearts at Saab UK.

“Control room staff save lives every day. The control room is the engine room of any emergency service and it’s fundamental that we recognise the amazing work of those based across blue light organisations and other critical control operations.

“We spend a great deal of time designing IT systems for these teams and we’re heavily involved in, and appreciative of, the emergency services sector. We’re very much more than a supplier and it’s humbling to hear their amazing stories.”

Mike Isherwood, co-founder of the Control Room Awards, said: “We’re delighted to have these two incredible organisations supporting the awards and helping to shine a light on the unsung heroes of this sector.

“British APCO have previously supported the awards and it’s wonderful to have their backing again this year. 

“Saab is a brand which has continued to grow in the control room sector and we’re now seeing that excellent commitment to the industry reinforced with their sponsorship.

“British APCO and Saab’s support will underline the appreciation the control room community will receive through these awards. We can’t wait to hear so many inspirational stories of dedication and public service during a very special night of celebrations.”

The awards, now in their sixth year, are the only accolades of their kind which recognise the selfless dedication of control room teams and individuals, highlighting outstanding achievement and commitment across the control room community as they serve the public and keep people safe.

The awards categories are:

• Bravery and Courage Award
• Community Champion 
• Control Room Ambassador of the Year
• Control Room Call Taker of the Year
• Control Room Dispatcher of the Year
• John Gilhooly Award
• Leader of the Year
• Lifetime Achievement 
• Services to the Public
• Team of the Year
• Young Achiever of the Year

The British APCO Control Room Innovation Award
For more information about the Control Room Awards and to make a nomination by the deadline of May 5, visit www.controlroomawards.com