Contact: Marcus Creel
Public Engagement Manager
601-319-2024
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 25, 2021
OPCD Executive Director Selected as
Public Safety At-Large Member of SAFECOM
NEW ORLEANS (February 25, 2021) – OPCD Executive Director, Tyrell Morris, has been selected to serve as a Public Safety At-Large Member of SAFECOM, a federal program designed to improve public safety interoperability, allowing emergency responders to communicate effectively before, during and after emergencies across all levels of government.
“Tyrell Morris’ appointment to join SAFECOM is a shining example of how our public safety team is helping to set the standard for the rest of the nation,” stated Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “OPCD Director Tyrell Morris constantly works with State and Federal partners to innovate our emergency response communications efforts and will prove an invaluable member of the SAFECOM team.”
Managed by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), SAFECOM was originally formed by the Presidential E-Government Initiative after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, to improve public safety communications across the United States. With this goal in mind, SAFECOM continuously works to improve emergency communications interoperability across state, local, tribal and territorial (SLTT), regional and international borders, and with the federal government.
“The SAFECOM Executive Board is pleased to welcome Executive Director Tyrell T. Morris as a SAFECOM public safety at-large member,” stated SAFECOM Chair, Chief Gerald R. Reardon Ret. “We look forward to working with Mr. Morris. His public safety experience and expertise will support the SAFECOM agenda.”
“SAFECOM supports the mission of the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security by providing guidance and recommendations to improve interoperable emergency communications across the homeland,” stated Executive Assistant Director for Emergency Communications of CISA, Billy Bob Brown, Jr. “Mr. Morris will bring his wealth of experience to this organization and will work with leaders from across the nation to support the mission of SAFECOM. We welcome Mr. Morris and thank him for his service.”
Membership of SAFECOM is comprised of more than 60 representatives from SLTT emergency responders, appointed and elected officials, and major intergovernmental and national public safety associations. SAFECOM’s membership also coordinates with elected and appointed officials, and other key emergency communications stakeholders to provide input on the challenges, needs, and best practices facing emergency communications.
“This is a very proud moment for my team and me,” stated OPCD Executive Director, Tyrell Morris. “Throughout my entire career, one of my core focuses has been breaking down the barriers inhibiting meaningful and useful communications and interoperability within the public safety realm. Being selected to serve as a member of SAFECOM is an amazing opportunity to put all of that experience to work. I am excited to jump in with both feet and to do the work necessary, along with my SAFECOM colleagues, to help provide emergency responders across the country with everything they need to be safe and successful in their endeavors.”
Members of SAFECOM, who serve three-year terms, meet regularly to achieve the following goals: promote the exchange of knowledge and resources among members of the public safety emergency communications community, develop resources and tools to be used by the SAFECOM community and beyond to further emergency communications efforts, leverage and promote training and exercise opportunities, and stablish ad hoc working groups to address specific issues as they arise.
Adhering to a “bottom-up” approach – relying heavily on local and state input and guidance when developing interoperability solutions – SAFECOM has been responsible for creating several key documents and policies to assist emergency responders nationwide with improving communications and interoperability, including the Interoperability Continuum, the Statement of Requirements (SoR) for baseline communications and interoperability standards, the Statewide Communication Interoperability Plan (SCIP) Methodology, and the National Emergency Communications Plan (NECP).
About Orleans Parish Communications District (www.opcdla.gov)
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). 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.
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