Candidate for 2nd Vice President
Becky Neugent
E911 Communications Manager,
Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue
I am Becky Neugent - a
candidate for APCO International 2nd Vice President.
When I first started in
Public Safety, or 911 if you will, the county I worked in only had basic 911
service. For those of you younger than me, that means no ANI/ALI, no screen,
just a dedicated phone. I was hired to name the roads and assign the addresses
- I had no idea the direction my life would take for the next twenty plus
years.
On May 9, 2001 Clarke
County 911 went “live” and we took our first 911 call which I still vividly
remember. It was from a 4 year old boy being beaten with a broomstick handle by
his mother. It was one of those bone chilling calls that made me want to get in
my car and respond to the scene just to help that precious helpless soul on the
other end of the line. You know - the ones that stick with you, the ones that
make you want to take a step back and take a break or cause you to crawl under
the counter and cry just to make it through the day. On that day I recognized
that this was my calling. I was put on this earth to be of service to others
and to do everything I could to provide the best service possible to the
citizens of my rural county in Alabama.
In time I would come to
see the bigger picture when I attended my first Alabama APCO Conference in 2002
and jumped right in to help the current board. I worked the merchandise table,
hung decorations, created conference programs and assisted in whatever task was
needed. Those of you that know me know that I was always the first one to dance
at our Monday night vendor parties, a job I took very seriously! After several
years of learning about APCO and doing my best to help the current board, I was
elected as the 2nd VP in 2004 and eventually Alabama APCO president
in 2006. In 2010 I was elected as the Alabama APCO Executive Council
Representative, then the Board of Directors representing the Gulf Coast Region
in 2016. In 2019 I was honored and humbled when Governor Kay Ivey appointed me
to the Alabama State 911 Board.
During my time with APCO
I served on different committees and in several capacities. My goal now is to help you recognize and
accomplish your goals! I want to see your agency succeed! I want you to have
all the tools in your tool box to help your communities, your first responders
and to help lift each of you up to help save lives.
I honestly never imagined
that I would one day leave Clarke County Alabama nor be before you today
seeking a position on the APCO Executive Board. However, in January of 2020, I relocated
to South Carolina and took the position of 911 Communications Manager for
Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue. A move that has been challenging, energizing
and rewarding in too many ways to list here.
It is my mission, through
service on the APCO Executive Committee, to instill in our membership that we
can collectively and individually achieve the goals we pursue with commitment
and optimism. Together, through courage and perseverance, we can each grow
personally and professionally to continue to serve each other, our communities,
our profession and APCO!
I would be honored to earn your trust and your
vote but more importantly, offer you encouragement through good leadership,
mentorship, optimism and a willingness to work together for the betterment of
public safety.
I humbly ask for your
vote for me as your next APCO 2nd Vice President.
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