TC Public Safety Telecommunicator Named Dispatcher of the Year

Patrick Harris, a dispatcher in Tompkins County's Emergency Communications Center, was named the 2025 Dispatcher of the Year by the APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials) Atlantic Chapter. He was presented with the award at the group’s fall conference in Mystic, CT in November.

 

Tompkins County Emergency Response Assistant Director-911 John Halaychik said Harris was “a worthy recipient of this prestigious award,” adding the honor is “a testament to the incredible professionalism and work that occurs in our 911 Center every day.”

 

In accepting the award, Harris said, “It’s extremely gratifying for me to be recognized for something I consider as just a part of doing my job.” Pat has been an Emergency Services Dispatcher for Tompkins County for the past nine years.

 

Earlier this year, Harris was recognized by DoER Director Michael Stitley as the department’s Dispatcher of the Year. “We are extremely proud of Pat and congratulate him on his dedication, hard work, and commitment to our mission and goals,” said Stitley.

 

This is the third time in the last four years Tompkins County 911 has received the APCO Atlantic Chapter Dispatcher of the Year Award. Dispatch Supervisor Zach Guidi was selected in 2022, followed by Travis Collins in 2023.

 

APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals. The Atlantic Chapter is comprised of eight states – Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.