The National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC) developed the Richard DeMello Award in 2006.  NPSTC presents the award at the Radio Club of America (RCA) Annual Awards Banquet to an individual in public safety communications who has demonstrated the highest levels of personal and professional conduct and performance in the local, state and national public safety communications arena.  The DeMello Award was created to honor the achievement of Richard DeMello, one of the founding fathers of NPSTC and a member of the RCA.  As a founding father, DeMello was instrumental in bringing the public safety frequency coordinators together to be part of the formation of NPSTC.

NPSTC is pleased to announce that Terry Hall is this year's winner of our highest award.  Mr. Hall is currently the Director of the York-Poquoson-Williamsburg 911 Emergency Communications Center in the County of York, Virginia.  He is also the volunteer Chairman of the NPSTC Foundation.  Terry is a staunch supporter of NPSTC and its mission and goals, and he is a Radio Club of America Fellow.

Terry Hall has served over thirty years in public safety in many capacities.  Terry remains a deputy sheriff after actively serving seven years with the York County Sheriff's Office prior to his current position.  Director Hall has been recognized as a leader across the United States and is often called upon as a Subject Matter Expert pertaining to issues concerning public safety, emergency communications and emerging technologies.

Through Director Hall's leadership and vision, he was able to oversee the building and design of a state-of-the-art 9-1-1 facility, and the consolidation of the Cities of Poquoson and Williamsburg 9-1-1 Centers.  Terry Hall is the Systems Manager for a regional state-of-the art P25 radio system that encompasses six localities, 25 sites and over 6,000 subscribers that cover approximately 1,000 square miles.  York County was the first 9-1-1 Center in the country to develop and deploy wireless location technology.  It has provided the model for systems that are now being implemented and used throughout the United States. Additionally, York County became the first in the world to develop and deploy Text to 9-1-1. Terry chaired the Regional Advisory Council in Virginia and began the migration to full Next Generation 9-1-1 deployment.  He served as Chair of Virginia Statewide Interoperable Executive Committee that recommended the Governor opt-in to FirstNet.  Terry is also past Chair of SAFECOM and currently represents the National Association of Counties.

Terry served as President of the Association of Public-Safety Officials International, a NPSTC Governing Board member.  As President of APCO International, Terry represented more than 20,000 members worldwide, chaired the APCO International Global Alliance, represented public safety worldwide, testified before Congress and served on the University of Melbourne Disaster Strategic Board.

The Governing Board of NPSTC appreciates Terry's steadfast commitment and contributions to public safety and congratulates him on this award.