The Stork Award recognizes Telecommunicators who have “delivered” a baby through Emergency Medical Dispatch pre-arrival instructions.

This award is presented to one individual per dispatch center for exceptional professionalism in the field of emergency communications and acknowledges the special contributions of a person whose daily performance of their duties is an inspiration and example to others.

Award Criteria: One nomination & award is granted per agency. We highly recommend each agency makes a submission so that we can recognize an individual from each agency! 

• Nominee must have a minimum of two years of experience as a telecommunicator.
• Demonstrate a positive attitude towards all aspects of the job.
• Demonstrate a willingness to participate as a team player.
• Be professional and take pride in the quality of the work.
• Earn and maintain the respect and high esteem of co-workers.
• Be flexible in task assignments and capabilities.
• Individual job performance is above and beyond the call of duty.

This award is presented to an individual Shift Supervisor in recognition of their outstanding service and for the exceptional professionalism in the field of emergency communications that is demonstrated on a daily basis.

Award Criteria: One nomination per agency. Only one award will be granted.

• The nominee should demonstrate a positive attitude toward all aspects of the job.
• Ability and willingness to be a leader and team player.
• Professionalism
• Pride in quality of work, including the work of the staff.
• Comprehensive and thorough knowledge of the profession.
• Flexibility in task assignments and capabilities.
• Ability to demonstrate leadership in the various situations of day-to-day operations of the Communications Center.
• Job performance above and beyond the call of duty.

This award is presented to a 9-1-1 Director/Operations Manager in recognition of their accomplishments, encouragement, motivation and support.

Award Criteria: Nomination letter must describe how the nominee: 

• Presents a positive attitude
• Demonstrates their proficiency / efficiency in their job duties
• How the nominee has improved working conditions for their employees
• How the nominee motivates their employees
• Nominees willingness to act as a mentor and role model
• Describe how the nominee has improved the overall quality of service provided to the
• Provide a list of the nominee’s professional affiliations and accomplishments.

The Critical Incident Award recognizes any individual, team, center or centers, who by deed or act, make an extremely noteworthy contribution which results in the successful handling of a major incident or combination of incidents beyond the average or normal activity level.

Award Criteria: One nomination per agency. Only one award will be granted.

Handling of a specific 9-1-1 or emergency call should reflect the ability to:

• Listen and comprehend the caller’s request for help
• Take command of the conversation to obtain necessary information.
• Make decisions related to proper emergency response.
• Think and respond quickly and/or creatively as the emergency situation dictates.
• Teamwork (if applicable).
• Reassure a frightened, confused or upset caller.
• Address the needs and concerns of the caller.
• Respond as special circumstances may dictate, including coordinating multi-jurisdictional agency response or local resources other than public safety.
• Keep responding units and public’s safety needs as a priority at all times.

The Gold Line Hero Award is present to individuals whose actions directly contribute to saving a life during an emergency call (on the administrative line, 9-1-1 line, radio or combination). This award will be recognized throughout the year and will be highlighted at the Annual Maine NENA conference. Nominations can be sent anytime to the current Maine NENA president which will be reviewed by the Maine NENA board.

Award Criteria:

• ECS followed EMD/EFD protocols correctly and/or adapted to fit the situation (if applicable).
• Displayed actions that went above and beyond the everyday responsibilities of an ECS.
• Demonstrated courage, compassion, quick thinking, and exceptional job performance while ensuring the safety and well-being of the caller and/or responders.
• The ECS’s actions directly and positively impacted the outcome of the incident, or something positive came from the event due to influence of the ECS’s actions.

This award is presented to an individual, group, or agency that contributed greatly to the mission of Maine NENA. Nominations are made directly to the President by Board members and the President chooses the recipient of those deserving nominations. This award may not be given out annually as it shall be reserved for exceptional contributions.