BOEC Director Receives Lifetime Achievement Award, Emergency Communications Senior Dispatcher Honored with Telecommunicator of the Year Award, and 911 Bureau Receives Public[...]

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) was recognized for several significant achievements at this year's Oregon Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Conference in Bend, Ore., on Sept. 25. BOEC's Director, Bob Cozzie, was awarded the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring his decades of dedicated service to public safety communications.

Additionally, BOEC emergency communications senior dispatcher Ken-Han Liang was named Oregon's Telecommunicator of the Year, recognizing his outstanding performance in handling critical emergency calls.

In addition to these honors, BOEC received the Public Safety Innovation Award for 2024, at the Versaterm conference, where public safety professionals learn about new and upcoming features for the Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) program. BOEC earned this year's award for the successful implementation of the Case Service non-emergency triage program.

The Oregon Chapter of APCO/NENA, a professional organization for public safety communication professionals, held its annual conference this month, bringing together emergency communication leaders and experts from across the state. The awards presented reflect the hard work and dedication of individuals who strive to make a difference in their communities through their critical role in public safety.

Legacy of Leadership
Bob Cozzie, BOEC's Director, has been a pivotal leader in the field of emergency communications for nearly 30 years. His vision, dedication, and data-driven leadership strategy have greatly influenced public safety operations, not only in Portland but throughout the state. Serving in a variety of roles throughout his career, including 911 Operations, Training, Public Information, and Administration, Cozzie's dedication to advancing emergency communications is evident across the public safety spectrum. He has been an invaluable member of the Statewide Interoperability Executive Council (SIEC) since his appointment in 2016. He was the Oregon APCO/NENA Chapter President and served on the Executive Board for several years. He is involved in the Portland Dispatch Center Consortium (PDCC), supporting public safety communication and collaboration within Oregon.

Cozzie was selected by the Oregon APCO/NENA Chapter's Awards Committee for his years of exemplary leadership, strategic vision, and unwavering dedication to the community.

Telecommunicator of the Year
BOEC was also celebrated for one of its emergency communications senior dispatchers, Ken-Han Liang, whose exceptional professionalism, calm under pressure, and exemplary performance in critical moments have earned him Oregon's Telecommunicator of the Year Award. Nominated by his peers, Ken was recognized for his knowledge, patience, and kindness towards the community, responders, and coworkers. Having been at BOEC since 2017, he's a role model for all. He coaches call-taking and dispatch trainees and is praised for being reliable and having a strong work ethic.

"These awards recognize the hard work and dedication of our team," said Cozzie. "It's an honor to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award, but more importantly, I'm proud to lead this incredible group of professionals who make a difference every day."

Public Safety Innovation Award
BOEC Technology Systems Analyst accepted the 2024 Public Safety Innovation Award at the Versaterm conference on Sept. 18. BOEC was recognized for its implementation of the Case Service non-emergency triage system. This initiative demonstrates BOEC's commitment to leveraging technology to provide better service to the community.

Steve Mawdsley, who is Oregon APCO/NENA's Chapter President and BOEC's Deputy Director, said, "Bob and Ken are most deserving of these awards. They are committed to serving others and leading by example with the utmost professionalism."

The Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications is committed to its mission of providing exceptional emergency call-taking and dispatch services to the residents and visitors to the City of Portland and Multnomah County.

For more information about BOEC and the services it provides, visit portlandoregon.gov/911.