FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Director Zim Schwartze was named Missouri 9-1-1 Director of the Year at the Missouri Public Safety Communications Conference (MPSCC) March 22 in Columbia. The Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 administration team nominated Schwartze for the award without her knowledge. "I'm totally shocked, honored and humbled to be the director of such an amazing administrative team and telecommunicators that serve our citizens,” Schwartze said. Three statewide organizations come together each year to host the conference to include the Missouri Chapters of APCO (Association of Public Safety Communications Officials), NENA (National Emergency Number Association) and the Missouri 9-1-1 Director's Association. Schwartze joined Springfield-Greene County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications in 2013, after retiring as a captain from the Columbia Police Department. While in Columbia, she also served as the director of the Boone County Joint Communications 9-1-1 and Office of Emergency Management for several years. “We are very fortunate to have Zim’s wealth of experience in law enforcement, emergency management and emergency communications in Springfield,” said City Manager Greg Burris. “The fact that 9-1-1 staff nominated Zim for the Missouri 9-1-1 Director of the Year award speaks volumes about her skills and reputation as a leader in this field.” Southwest Missouri 9-1-1 centers are known for their teamwork, according to the MPSCC. “The cooperation between the 9-1-1 centers in southwest Missouri has been extraordinary,” said April Tarrant, executive director of Jasper County Emergency Services and MPSCC chair. “Schwartze has helped ensure this cooperation by providing great feedback and by bringing her experience and skills into our region." Schwartze has a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in industrial engineering, both from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a graduate of the 204th School of Police Staff and Command (SPSC) through Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois and the FBI National Academy, Session 231, in Quantico, Virginia. She is an adjunct instructor at the Law Enforcement Training Institute located in Columbia as well as in the Northwestern University SPSC classes. Schwartze is a member of the three state 9-1-1 organizations and currently serves as the treasurer of the Missouri 9-1-1 Directors Association. In addition, Schwartze is a past president of the Kansas-Western Missouri Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates and a member of the University of Missouri Harry S Truman School of Public Affairs Advisory Board. Schwartze has volunteered her time with Special Olympics-Missouri for nearly 25 years. She serves on the Law Enforcement Torch Run Committee and is the chair of the State Summer Games held in Springfield each year. Schwartze and her husband, Jay, have two children and numerous family pets. ### For more information please contact Director Zim Schwartze at 417-829-6209 or zschwartze@springfieldmo.gov.
