Toni Hardley Award
Each year we present the Toni Hardley Award for Excellence in Supervision. Toni Hardley was a beloved supervisor of the Department of Emergency Management who is remembered for her calm, cool, and collected nature. As one supervisor remembers her “She was the supervisor everyone aspired to be.”
Josu Garmendia is this year’s recipient of the Toni Hardley Award. Josu was awarded for his outstanding commitment to leadership, guidance, and support to his staff. He is revered on the 9-1-1 dispatch floor, and we commend him for his service to our dispatchers.
La Casa de las Madres Care Packages
As part of the national public safety dispatcher’s week, DEM dispatchers challenged the entire department to make a difference in the lives of women escaping from domestic abuse. Our dispatchers have been a lifeline to women calling 9-1-1 to escape domestic violence and chaos experienced by women as they plan to leave their attackers. That is why they were determined to raise funds to help with care packages for 100 women through our partnership with La Casa de Las Madres. An assembly staging area was set up in the EOC to pack 100 care package that included toiletries, feminine products, socks, treats, and other emergency supplies.