The extraordinary contributions of control-room professionals in keeping the public safe will be recognised as the Control Room Awards return this year.
The prestigious awards celebrate the many ways in which control-room employees serve society day after day, often dealing with harrowing and distressing situations.
The Control Room Awards 2022 are being run independently by the original founder of the awards, Mike Isherwood, and provide an essential opportunity to recognise the otherwise unheralded work of individuals and teams in control rooms across the country.
The awards evening will be held on 21 September during the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in Birmingham, meaning the Control Room Awards 2022 will be part of the UK’s biggest event bringing together professionals from across the UK’s emergency services sector.
Mr Isherwood said: ‘Over 99% of emergency responses start with a phone call taken by control-room operators. The professionalism and dedication of control-room teams across the country saves lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
‘We passionately believe that contribution deserves recognition and celebration and that’s why we’re delighted to be staging the Control Room Awards this year.
‘This will be a night for the control-room community to come together and celebrate inspiring stories of bravery, resilience, leadership and public service.’
The awards are the only accolades that recognise the extraordinary contribution to the public and society of people working in control rooms for the police, fire, ambulance and coastguard, as well as other critical control operations.
This year, the Control Room Awards have secured a new headline sponsor in the Emergency Services Show, which also publishes Emergency Services Times.
Taking place on 21 and 22 September, the show brings together all disciplines from the emergency services sector to discover innovative technology and operational solutions, share their experiences and unite in their collaborative approach to public safety.
The event will welcome more than 450 exhibitors and feature live demonstrations and unique learning opportunities. The Control Room Awards 2022 will be held on evening of Wednesday, 21 September, at the NEC.
Emergency Services Show Event Director David Brown said: ‘We’re thrilled to be able to incorporate the Control Room Awards within this year’s show, highlighting the immense contributions of individuals and teams who play such a critical role in protecting the public.
‘The awards have continued to grow and evolve since launching five years ago. They showcase all that is great about the otherwise unsung heroes of emergency services control rooms.
‘The awards evening promises to be an unmissable celebration of control room professionals and teams, who are such a vital part of the emergency services sector.’
The Control Room Awards 2022 will feature 10 categories, with people within the control rooms community urged to nominate colleagues for these accolades:
- Community Champion
- Team of the Year
- Leader of the Year
- Young Achiever of the Year
- Lifetime Achievement
- Call Taker of the Year
- Dispatcher of the Year
- Bravery and Courage
- Services to the Public
- John Gilhooly Award
Last year the Control Room Awards recognised exceptional performers from across the control rooms community. They included Young Achiever of the Year Ben Hawkins, from East of England Ambulance Service, whose tireless work to educate others about issues surrounding mental health was praised by the judges.
Beth Watson, of North East Ambulance Service, won Leader of the Year after being appointed as Team Leader during the first national Covid-19 lockdown, when 999 and 111 calls more than doubled from usual levels.
Other winners of the Control Room Awards 2021 included the Digital Contact Team at Metropolitan Police, named as Team of the Year in recognition of its handling of the huge demands placed on the service during the pandemic.
The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Keith Diamond from the London Fire Brigade. Over an incredible career spanning 50 years of service, Keith helped manage numerous high-profile incidents, including the Grenfell disaster and 7/7 terror attacks.
Nominations for the 2022 awards are now open. To nominate an individual or team for the Control Room Awards, visit www.controlroomawards.com/awards
There are also still opportunities available to become a sponsor of the awards. Sponsorship brings with it a variety of benefits, including branding at the awards and on pre-event marketing material, as well as social media content. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for the awards, visit www.controlroomawards.com/sponsorship for more information.
Follow the Control Room Awards on Facebook: @controlroomawards; Twitter: @CR_Awards and LinkedIn: Control Room Awards.
This post was uploaded and edited by Derek Smith.
Derek is the Online Digital Editor for MDM Publishing Ltd.