That has been a stated strategy for years: get outside the walls of the 9-1-1 Center, engage people personally, strengthen relationships, and make Emergency Communications, and the people who perform this extraordinary work, visible. We have taken 9-1-1 into schools, neighborhoods, churches, senior communities, career fairs, community centers, public safety events, civic organizations, hospitals, youth programs and community celebrations; hosted tours and presentations; partnered with our First Responder Partners and community organizations; and used radio, television and social media to reach people we may never meet face-to-face. In 2023, that included a commercial featuring our own Members airing during the Super Bowl and a City-produced documentary about CDA that was nominated for an Emmy.

Over the past several years, the CDA’s community engagement efforts have grown significantly, expanding our reach and creating thousands of meaningful connections throughout Tallahassee-Leon County. More importantly, we have made every interaction intentional, an opportunity to educate someone about 9-1-1, introduce a young person to a Public Safety career they may never have considered, connect with a future PSCO, strengthen a partnership, or simply allow someone to meet the humans who are 9-1-1.