ABOVE AND BEYOND THE CALL

Steve Morlan Named Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year

Westerville Communications Coordinator Steve Morlan is being recognized as Radio Frequency Technologist of the Year by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International. He will be honored at the organization’s annual conference in August.

Ask any police officer or firefighter/paramedic in Westerville, and they’ll tell you their radio is one of their most important pieces of equipment. The man behind these critical communications tools is none other than Morlan. He is known to go above and beyond the call to ensure the City’s critical radio communications systems are operating at the highest level.

As Communications Manager Holly Wayt puts it, Morlan started “tinkering” with the City’s mobile radios in his earliest days in Westerville while serving as a Communications Technician. He quickly developed proficiency and became the go-to guy for all things radio systems. This work became so integral to the City’s operations that he became Westerville’s first inhouse Communications Coordinator, allowing him to focus his energy on maintaining and optimizing the City’s radio system.

When the time came to transition the City’s communications consoles to a new digital system, Morlan carefully reprogrammed every radio used by staff to ensure they would work with the new format. While acquiring new radios for the Westerville Divisions of Police and Fire, he helped save the City more than $300,000 while simultaneously enhancing interoperability with local, state and federal agencies.

A true subject matter expert, Morlan’s talents have even been tapped to help neighboring communities and partners successfully update their own radio systems.

9-1-1 Communications Technicians are sometimes called the “first” first responders. The calm voices on the line, coordinating help for people in their greatest need. Their work behind the scenes keeps public safety professionals and the communities they serve safe. It’s a key driver for Morlan’s work.

The tales of Morlan’s excellence in the field are many and make clear the indelible impact he has had on the City of Westerville in his nearly 20 years with the Division.

Learn more about Westerville’s 9-1-1 Communications Division at www.westerville.org.