The City of Nashville held its 2025 DEC Annual Awards Ceremony on April 20, 2025, celebrating significant achievements in emergency dispatch services and community engagement. A highlight of the event was the announcement of a grant awarded to the Department of Emergency Communications (DEC) in partnership with Vanderbilt University. This grant from the National Science Foundation will fund the development of "Angie," the world's first AI-based emergency dispatch call simulator, aimed at enhancing dispatcher training through responsible AI use.

During the ceremony, it was noted that DEC personnel received 294 life-saving commendations for providing effective CPR instructions over the phone, which led to successful resuscitations. Additionally, four dispatchers were recognized for their roles in guiding callers through childbirth deliveries before emergency services arrived.

The DEC also celebrated its recertification from the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and received a national award from the Public Relations Society of America for the "Rescue Rex" coloring book, which educates children about the importance of calling 911.

Mayor O'Connell emphasized the department's strategic focus on reducing non-emergency call volumes, which has resulted in improved response times. Notably, 96% of 911 calls were answered within 20 seconds, surpassing national standards. The Hub Nashville initiative has played a crucial role in this achievement, handling approximately 220,000 requests in the first nine months of the fiscal year, with most issues resolved on the first call.

The ceremony also recognized the contributions of the Hub Nashville team, particularly highlighting a team member who was awarded for her reliability and positive impact on the team, especially in assisting Spanish-speaking callers.

In closing, Mayor O'Connell expressed gratitude for the dedication of all first responders and the importance of community support in maintaining public safety. The event underscored the ongoing commitment of Nashville's emergency services to enhance training, improve response times, and engage with the community effectively.