Contact: Marcus Creel
Director of Communications
and Government Affairs
601-319-2024
[email protected]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OPCD Training and Compliance Department
Earns Coveted International Training Certification
NEW ORLEANS, LA (October 1, 2021) – The Orleans Parish Communication District (OPCD) is proud to announce that the agency’s Training and Compliance Department has earned the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International’s Agency Training Program Certification.
“I am incredibly proud of the OPCD Training and Compliance team, and the agency as a whole, for earning this highly sought-after certification,” stated Beau Tidwell, Chairman of the OPCD Board of Commissioners.“ A substantial amount of hard work was put into accomplishing this goal, demonstrating once again OPCD’s dedication to the agency’s pursuit of excellence. OPCD’s consistent commitment to these efforts will continue to provide our emergency communications specialists with the tools necessary for managing any and all emergency situations that come their way, ultimately making the people in our City more safe. On behalf of the Board and the City, congratulations to Teresa and to the entire OPCD Training and Compliance team.”
The APCO International’s Agency Training Program Certification, is earned by public safety agencies that wish to utilize a formal mechanism to ensure their training programs meet APCO American National Standards (ANS), of which 154 standards must be achieved. Initial and continuing training of this nature for public safety telecommunicators provides essential services to the public in an expanding and rapidly changing environment.
“This is an amazing day for our Training & Compliance team, and for the agency,” stated OPCD Executive Director, Tyrell Morris. “This was an initiative that was led by the Training and Compliance Department from the start, and I couldn’t be prouder to see all of their hard work over these last two years come to fruition. Congratulations to Training and Compliance Manager, Teresa Thompson, and her entire team for their unwavering commitment to this agency goal and ensuring our training programs are second to none.”
Since 2019, the OPCD Training and Compliance Department has spent countless hours fulfilling requirements for this certification, including supplying public safety training curriculums and materials, along with a wide variety supporting documentation. All the information provided was then reviewed by APCO certification agents for compliance to ensure the training and professional development of OPCD’s public safety communication officials met certification standards.
“It truly means a lot to my team and I to achieve this goal after working towards it for so long,” said OPCD Training and Compliance Manager, Teresa Thompson. “This isn’t just a win for us, it’s a win for the agency, as a whole. We have set ourselves to a higher standard so OPCD’s emergency communications specialist can have every tool they need to help the people of New Orleans when help is needed most. Congratulations go out to my team, as well. It’s because of their commitment and hard work that we are able to celebrate today.”
OPCD is proud to receive the APCO certification and continues to strive towards excellence in meeting all emergency public safety standards.
‘The nature of the work performed by public safety telecommunicators continues to evolve, and effective initial training and continuing education are crucial to maintaining the skill set required to successfully execute day to day tasks,” said APCO International President Jason E. Kern. “Successfully attaining APCO’s Agency Training Program Certification clearly demonstrates an agency’s commitment to the citizen’s and fellow responders.”
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.
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