Steve Van Dyk has been awarded the Trainer of the Year award from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) at the annual conference this week in Banff, Alberta.
The Trainer of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose contributions are instrumental in the excellence and success of a training program within a Public Safety Communications Agency. The nominees in this category understand the importance of mentoring employees through leadership and display an ongoing commitment to their employees’ success.
Van Dyk has worked in 9-1-1 Communications for over 20 years. He is known for taking important topics and experiences to create real learning opportunities that are both fun and informative. Van Dyk is passionate about teaching other communicators of the important role they play in each and every call they take. He believes that every communicator should understand what an honour and privilege it is to work every day taking calls that could save a person’s life.
Van Dyk has had many achievements throughout his 14 years at the Halton Regional Police Service:
- He has been the Communications Training Coordinator for the last 9 years, where he provides all the training for approximately 65 communicators, who are full-time, contract and supervisory staff.
- He has received the past Chief’s Commendation for Extraordinary Effort in May 2005.
- He is the recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in April 2013.
- He has also received the Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL) designation from APCO International.
About APCO:
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, Canada, Inc. is a voluntary, not-for-profit organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. It serves the people who supply, install and operate the Emergency Communications Systems used around Canada from coast to coast to coast.