On Friday, February 22, 2019, Deputy Emergency Management & 911 Communications Director Jimmy Hodges, received his PSAP Executive Certification through the North Carolina Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) Manager Program. Hodges completed the 270 hour course at Richmond Community College, and joins the second class ever to graduate from the PSAP program at RichmondCC.
A public-safety answering point (PSAP), is the term for a call center responsible for answering calls to an emergency telephone number (911) for police, firefighting, and ambulance services. The North Carolina PSAP Manager Program better equips graduates to assist in the direction and operation of 911 centers across the state.
According to the RichmondCC website, the college "worked with the North Carolina 911 Board to structure the curriculum to the specific needs of North Carolina PSAP managers." PSAP courses were divided into five classes, each focusing on the key areas of the 911 system and the NC 911 Board, budgeting, finance, human relations, operations and technology. Classes were presented online, allowing managers to interact and work in partnership with peers from within North Carolina.
In a press release for the first PSAP course offered at RichmondCC in January of this year, Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development, Dr. Robbie Taylor noted that “PSAP managers are on the front line and provide an invaluable service to Public Safety in North Carolina. Decisions in these areas can be paramount in the saving of lives."
Jimmy Hodges has worked for Pitt County Emergency Management in the 911 Communications division for over 11 years, and was hired as the Deputy EM Director / 911 Communications in October of 2017. Since that time, he has successfully lead the division through two major hurricanes, along with several other severe weather and emergency events, as well as overseeing the opening and operation of the new Pitt County Backup 911 Center in 2018.
PICTURED: Jimmy Hodges (center), being presented by NC 911 Board Executive Director, Pokey Harris (left) with his PSAP Executive Certification (February 22, 2019)