Sunday, July 27 | 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Jessica P. Daza and Redic Morris, Fairfax County Govt – Public Safety Communications – 911
The Fairfax County Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC) is the largest public safety answering point (PSAP) in Virginia and ranks among the largest in the United States. In 2020, members of the DPSC staff embraced a voluntary opportunity to educate students from the Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) about careers and operations in 9-1-1 telecommunications. What began as a single outreach initiative has since evolved into a dynamic partnership between DPSC and FCPS. Today, this collaboration encompasses 9-1-1 telecommunications, law enforcement, and fire & rescue, fostering community engagement, career awareness, and public safety education.
At this year’s APCO International Conference in Baltimore, MD, DPSC presented Next Generation of Dispatchers – High School Program, a forward-thinking session tailored for emergency communications centers (ECCs) seeking to engage the next generation of public safety professionals.
The presentation highlighted how ECCs can collaborate with educational institutions to design school-based programs that introduce students to the emergency response landscape. The session reviewed strategies to educate young people on the critical role 9-1-1 professionals, foster an understanding of the broader public safety ecosystem and build meaningful connections between ECCs and their communities.
Participants explored:
- Methods for partnering with schools to implement curriculum or extracurricular initiatives.
- Key topics to include in student education around emergency preparedness and response.
- Opportunities to cultivate interest in public safety careers.
- Real-world examples and lessons learned from existing programs.
“As products of Fairfax County Public Schools, both DPSC Communications Operations Manager Jessica Daza and I view this school-based educational partnership as a unique cross-professional collaboration. Not only does this strengthen the Fairfax County community, but it also supports the educational trajectory of FCPS students,” said one of the speakers, Redic Morris “This initiative exemplifies how cooperative efforts between public safety professionals and educators can foster meaningful learning experiences, promote civic engagement and cultivate a deeper understanding of emergency communications and community service among youth.”
