GRAPEVINE, TX – The National Emergency Number Association (NENA) has bestowed the prestigious 2023 NENA President's Award upon Knightdale Police’s Ashley Warner and her esteemed colleagues from North Carolina NENA's Wellness Committee & Peer Support Team out of the 19,000+ members of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA: The 911 Association). This remarkable recognition comes as a result of their tireless efforts and unwavering commitment to advocating for the mental health and wellness of 911 Telecommunicators throughout the state.
“Ashley’s compassion for the first responder community is unparalleled. She possesses a keen awareness of the immense challenges and devastating traumas that often come with public safety. Her compassion and awareness combine to make her the perfect advocate for first responder wellness and peer support,” said Chief Lawrence Capps, Knightdale Police Department. “Champions of this magnitude are hard to miss, so it is no surprise to us that Ashley’s work in this area has garnered national attention. The men and women of the Knightdale Police Department are proud to serve alongside her, and we are inspired by Ashley’s dedication to the wellbeing of all public safety personnel.”
In her role as Central Region Wellness Director for Knightdale and North Carolina, Ashley has played a pivotal role in championing and advocating for the mental health and wellness needs of our state’s 911 Telecommunicators and seeking recognition for the service they perform around the clock, 365-days/year as North Carolina’s first first responders.
The national recognition is a true testament to the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts of Ashley and the entire Wellness Committee & Peer Support team. Their dedication to offering direct Peer Support and wellness resources to 911 professionals led them to organize the country's first-ever wellness retreat-style mental health seminar exclusively for responders in the 911 industry. Ashley’s dedication to the industry was exemplified by her invaluable efforts during the team's deployment to assist local public safety agencies following the tragic Hedingham mass shooting in October.