Volume 6, Number 2 |February 2023

DECPR welcomes 11 trainees

to the 41st BDA


On Jan. 2, trainees with the 41st Basic Dispatch Academy were welcomed to DECPR. The class will be on an accelerated schedule, so that they will be able to begin call-taking sooner. Graduation is planned to be combined with the 40th BDA on Feb. 24.


Meet each of our new employees


See more photos of training academies

Years of Service recognition


Congratulations to our Technology Division employees who earned their Years of Service pins: Joseph Sanders, left, (10 years) and Brandon Minter (five years). Not pictured: Erich Bessey (five years).



Support Pride Committee, National Telecommunicator Week 2023

Valentine Candy Grams


Send a bag of candy with an inspirational card to your co-worker, supervisor, spouse, children or friends for only $2. Candy Grams are on sale through Feb. 8 and will be delivered Feb. 12-14. Turn your order in to Michelle Wilder or Lisa Roane.

Rep your team


Employees may wear team jerseys, socks, hats and more to represent their team, even if it is not in the Super Bowl, Feb. 5-12.

50/50 Raffle


Purchase your raffle ticket from DECPR Pride Committee members for $2 for one ticket or $5 for three tickets, now through March 26. The winner will be selected at random at the end of March and will win half of the money collected. The other half is used to support National Telecommunicator Week, April 9-15, 2023.

New logo to be used with new departmental name

In November, Richmond City Council approved the addition of the Office of Emergency Management and the name change to the Department of Emergency Communications, Preparedness and Response (DECPR). The new logo should be used in all materials. Logos are in the DEC PR folder under "city branding 2022."

Let Karen know if you need help with the new logo usage.


DECPR branding "cheat sheet"

QA Spotlight for December


CO of month icon.jpg

December ECO of the Month


Personnel Memo 23-1

Personnel Memo 23-2

Feb. 7 Free Vaccination Event

DECPR in the news

January in review

911 goes to Richmond


DECPR employees Tory Maye, Jackie Crotts, Felicia Roane, Stuart Keesling and Leslie Brown participated in the first "911 Goes to Richmond" event on Jan. 25. They met with legislators to advocate for important issues, including enhanced recruitment and retention efforts, reclassifying 9-1-1 jobs from clerical to first responders, enhancing retirement, mental health support, workers comp recognition of repetitive trauma and PTSD, and reducing false or deceptive emergency calls.

Consultants assess emergency management in Richmond


The consultant group Mission Critical Partners is conducting an assessment of how the city as a whole prepares for, responds to and recovers from disasters. Members of the team were on site to visit with staff and tour facilities the week of Jan. 9. They will provide recommendations on priorities, resources and technology within the next few months.

Online towing module launched


After several months of development, DECPR launched the online towing module in January. It allows the public to find out whether their vehicle has been towed and to where to help reduce the number of unnecessary calls to DECPR.

The listings are entered by towing companies and remain on the site for 14 days.


Access the listing

Hidden Talents

"I create handmade macrame jewelry, accessories, home decor and cosplay items, using hemp cord, beads, seashells, driftwood and other natural materials. I started out making them as gifts for family and friends and for relaxation, then started selling my creations online at my Etsy shop, Matching Tree Designs, about 10 years ago. In the past two years, I have made and sold mostly "Pirates of the Caribbean" and other cosplay items and have finally started making a small profit."


-- Karen Gill

We want to celebrate all of our staff members and their hidden talents! What do you do when you are not at work?

Please email samples of your talent, including photos, if possible, to share with your coworkers here each month!

When you share, you win a newsletter prize, as well!


DECPR public Facebook

DECPR YouTube

DECPR Twitter

DECPR Instagram

OEM Facebook

OEM Twitter

What would you like to see in the monthly emailed newsletter? Let Karen know! Send your information for the March newsletter by Feb. 17. Missed a past issue? See them all here!
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Richmond DEC | 804-646-5911 | www.rva.gov/911