Volume 3, Number 5 |May 2020
City launches meals program for first responders

Richmond has a new program to provide meals to on-duty first responders, including DEC staff, during COVID-19. Donetta McQueen is coordinating the program for DEC, and she will work with supervisors to coordinate the meal delivery for all staff.

Training Center, Accreditation reach first anniversary
On May 4, 2019, DEC earned the national Public Safety Accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The multi-year process put DEC in the top 2 percent of all Emergency Communications Centers nationwide. DEC's Training Center was officially opened on May 30, 2019, with a ribbon-cutting and open house.



Copies of the Commemorative Program, with construction photos and history of emergency communications, still are available. See Karen if you want one.
Stay safe and lessen the spread of COVID-19


The novel Coronavirus has changed everything, including how we work in the DEC. Please read the message from Director Willoughby and make sure to follow the most up-to-date information and recommendations from these trusted sources:


City of Richmond (for the public)
Quarterly 50/50 raffles to support NTW

To raise funds for future National Telecommunicator Week celebrations, the Pride Committee will be selling 50/50 Raffle tickets, May 1-31. The Raffles will be planned quarterly.

April in review
National Telecommunicators Week, April 12-18, 2020
Although some activities were curtailed because of Coronavirus and new city restrictions, DEC still celebrated National Telecommunicators Week with theme days, prizes, Lee's Chicken meals and yard signs. All employees received a DEC vest, each of the 12 #IamRichmond911 honorees received framed posters to keep, and those who worked at least five hours in 2019 community outreach received a T-shirt. We appreciate each one of our DEC staff members!


Final #IamRichmond911 honoree Jackie Crotts
Inspired by his grandfather, Jackie started as a volunteer firefighter in high school, then became a communications officer and a system administrator before joining the DEC in 2007. Among other volunteer work, Jackie raises funds for the Richmond PAL. Congratulations to Jackie, the 12th and final #IamRichmond911 honoree!

Jackie and his grandfather,
Dale Hawks.
Deadline to email your answer for the prize drawing is May 17. Send now!
Last month's winners
Everyone who correctly answered "I know my April Coworker" was entered into the random drawing for a prize. Congratulations to Justin Waitt , who knew that Donetta McQueen was the April coworker. Both chose from a 128 MB USB drive or a wireless charging pad as prizes.
Richmond DEC | 804-646-5911 | www.richmondgov.com/EmergencyCommunications