Control Room Awards back for 2022 to recognise ‘unsung heroes’

The awards celebrate the many ways in which control room employees serve society day after day, often dealing with harrowing and distressing situations.

The Control Room Awards 2022 are being run independently by the original founder of the awards, Mike Isherwood, and provide an essential opportunity to recognise the otherwise unheralded work of individuals and teams in control rooms across the country.

It is the first time since 2020 that the awards have been held as an ‘in person event’ due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The awards evening will be held on September 21 during the Emergency Services Show at the NEC in Birmingham.

Mr Isherwood said: “Over 99 per cent of emergency responses start with a phone call taken by control room operators. The professionalism and dedication of control room teams across the country saves lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

“We passionately believe that contribution deserves recognition and celebration and that’s why we’re delighted to be staging the Control Room Awards this year.

“This will be a night for the control room community to come together and celebrate inspiring stories of bravery, resilience, leadership and public service.”

He said the awards are the only accolades that recognise the extraordinary contribution to the public and society of people working in control rooms for the police, fire, ambulance and coastguard, as well as other critical control operations.

Emergency Services Show event director David Brown said: “We’re thrilled to be able to incorporate the Control Room Awards within this year’s show, highlighting the immense contributions of individuals and teams who play such a critical role in protecting the public.

“The awards have continued to grow and evolve since launching five years ago. They showcase all that is great about the otherwise unsung heroes of emergency services control rooms.

“The awards evening promises to be an unmissable celebration of control room professionals and teams, who are such a vital part of the emergency services sector.”

The Control Room Awards 2022 will feature ten categories, with staff within the control rooms community urged to nominate colleagues for these accolades:

• Community Champion;
• Team of the Year;
• Leader of the Year;
• Young Achiever of the Year;
• Lifetime Achievement;
• Call Taker of the Year;
• Dispatcher of the Year;
• Bravery and Courage;
• Services to the Public; and
• John Gilhooly Award.

Among last year’s winners was the Digital Contact Team at the Metropolitan Police Service, named as Team of the Year in recognition of its handling of the huge demands placed on the service during the pandemic.

Nominations for the 2022 awards are now open and can be made at https://www.controlroomawards.com/awards

This year’s Emergency Services Show is taking place on September 21 and 22 at the NEC in Birmingham. The show brings together all disciplines from the emergency services sector to discover innovative technology and operational solutions, share their experiences and unite in their collaborative approach to public safety.

The event will welcome more than 450 exhibitors and feature live demonstrations and ‘unique learning opportunities’.