FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPCD Executive Director Selected to
Co-Chair New NENA Diversity & Inclusion Special Committee
NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 6, 2020) – The Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) is proud to announce that OPCD Executive Director, Tyrell Morris, and President of Texas NENA, Frances Garcia, have been selected to co-chair the National Emergency Number Association’s newly founded Diversity & Inclusion Special Committee.
The Diversity & Inclusion Special Committee will examine how NENA, as an organization, and 9-1-1, as a public-safety service, can better support under-represented populations in this field. The creation of this committee is based partially on recent events relating to the death of George Floyd and the continuous call throughout the country for equity within personal and professional communities.
“Being selected to co-chair this committee alongside Frances Garcia and having the privilege to create opportunities for unique and diverse voices to more easily be heard is a true honor,” said Tyrell Morris. “This committee is the product of everyone involved being brave enough to have the difficult conversations needed to continue improving our industry. Thanks to the leadership at NENA, and their commitment to inclusion and diversity, we have a stronger platform where these conversations can continue.”
“I am so blessed, and embrace the chance to work together with peers to explore points for improvement within NENA and the public safety industry,” said Frances Garcia. “By creating the Diversity and Inclusion committee, NENA is facilitating organizational and member self-examination, open discussions, and a unified look at current practices, curriculum, and events.”
NENA is also accepting applications for members of NENA to join the Diversity & Inclusion Special Committee where committee members will be tasked with providing recommendations to the NENA board in response to questions such as:
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- What can NENA do to improve diversity in the association’s leadership and across the organization’s programs and activities?
- What can NENA do to better address the unique workplace challenges that minorities face?
- What standards or policies can be developed to ensure that 9-1-1 provides bias-free service to everyone?
“NENA strives to be an association where everyone is welcome, included, heard, and respected,” said NENA President Gary Bell, ENP. “With the creation of this special committee, NENA members have a significant opportunity to be part of a dialogue that leads to tangible improvements in both the services we provide to our members and the emergency assistance that 9-1-1 provides to the public.”
Ten at-large committee seats will be filled through the committee application process. Applications are due by 11:59 P.M. Eastern on Tuesday, August 18.
For more information, interested parties can find the application form here.
About NENA: The 9-1-1 Association (www.nena.org)
The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) improves 9-1-1 through research, standards development, training, education, outreach, and advocacy. Our vision is a public made safer and more secure through universally available state-of-the-art 9-1-1 systems and better-trained 9-1-1 professionals.
About Orleans Parish Communications District (www.911nola.org)
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the public safety answering point (PSAP) for all emergency communications via 9-1-1 within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 140 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
About the Orleans Parish Communication District (www.OPCDLA.gov)
Formed in 1982, the Orleans Parish Communication District is the PSAP for all emergency communications via 9-1-1, and non-emergency communications via 3-1-1, within Orleans Parish. The agency employs over 150 individuals and provides emergency medical dispatch, emergency fire dispatch, and emergency police dispatch for the millions of annual visitors and residents of the City of New Orleans. OPCD is a member of the Association of Public Safety Communication Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).
The Mission of OPCD is to get the Right People to the Right Place at the Right Time, Better than Anybody Else in the World.
OPCD Contact:
Marcus W. Creel, MS
OPCD Public Engagement Manager
601.319.2024
[email protected]
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