WASHINGTON - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today announced the 2006 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Award winners. The awards will be presented at the Opening General Session of the APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition in Orlando, Fla. on August 7.

The PSAP Awards are the four annual awards presented by APCO International to public safety communications personnel who have demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the line of duty. The four awards are Telecommunicator of the Year, Technician of the Year, Line Supervisor of the Year, and Communications Center Director of the Year and the 2006 winners are as follows:

• Telecommunicator of the Year - Jim Acosta, regional fire communications operator, Downey Fire Department, Downey, Calif.
• Technician of the Year - Gerald Adam Cooper, CAD/GIS system manager, Covington-Newton County 9-1-1 Communications, Covington, Ga.
• Line Supervisor of the Year - Susan Hall, shift manager, Stanislaus Regional 9-1-1, Modesto, Calif.
• Communications Center Director of the Year - D. Terry Hall, emergency communications manager, York County Department of Fire and Life Safety, Yorktown, Va.

"APCO International congratulates the 2006 PSAP Award winners," APCO International President Wanda McCarley said. "The work they have done in their respective agencies are great examples of activities deserving of this great honor and their entire departments should be proud their awards."

The APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition will be held August 6-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. For more information on the APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition, visit www.apco2006.org. To obtain a press pass for the APCO International 72nd Annual Conference and Exposition, please contact Courtney McCarron at 202.833.9600 or mccarronc@apco911.org.

About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc. is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.