HAGERSTOWN, MD (September 24, 2019) – Washington County Division of Emergency Services congratulates Bardona Woods and Linda Singleton for receiving awards at the 911 Day of Celebration held on Thursday, September 19, 2019.
Bardona Woods received the Marilyn Farndon Excellence in Training Award. Marilyn Farndon was the first Executive Director of the Emergency Number Systems Board. Marilyn played a critical role in establishing many of the Board’s policies and guidelines. She understood the critical need of standardized training and one of her signature achievements was bringing the 9-1-1 community together to develop Maryland’s first certified entry-level training program. In recognition of this, and Marilyn Farndon’s many other accomplishments, the Board has established the Marilyn Farndon Excellence in Training Award to recognize Maryland’s most deserving 9-1-1 Instructor that has demonstrated a superior commitment to training through the development and presentation of relevant training curricula that enhances 9-1-1 service in Maryland. The recipient is selected by the Board’s Training Subcommittee and the presentation of this award is made each year as part of the ENSB/MENA Telecommunicator of the Year awards ceremony at the 9-1-1 Day of Celebration.
Bardona has worked in Emergency Communications for the past 36 years. During that time, she has held many positions from part-time 911 Dispatcher to Director of Communications in Washington County.
Early in her career, she dedicated herself to the education of telecommunicators, not only in Washington County, but throughout the State of Maryland and the rest of our Country. Bardona is so passionate about training that she paid for herself to become an Emergency Medical Dispatch Instructor in September of 1997 and is currently a Master EMD Instructor. She has brought her years of experience as a telecommunicator, instructor and paramedic to everyone she has had the opportunity to work with. IAED estimates that she has taught well over 3000 students EMD in the past 22 years. Not only has she instructed thousands, she has inspired others to become instructors as well. Bardona has been part of multiple training committees throughout the years and most recently serves as one of the members of the Maryland recruiting, training and retaining subcommittee. The next generation of Emergency Communications Trainers should strive to be the trainer that Bardona has been during her career.
Washington County Emergency Communications is pleased to recognize Emergency Communications Specialist Linda Singleton as recipient of the 2019 Emergency Communications Specialist of the Year Award.
Linda has been employed with Washington County since May of 2015. During these past five years she has immersed herself in all aspects of her job becoming crossed-trained in Police discipline and becoming one of the lead Emergency Communication Specialist’s in that role.
Among Linda’s many qualities are her superior work quality and her strong work ethic. She is known throughout the Center to be understanding, thoughtful and greets everyone with a smile. It is those personality traits which makes her a pleasure to work with.
ECS Singleton makes every effort to work with any employee that may need assistance. She is respected by all of her crew members for her positive attitude that assists in making the Washington County Communications Center a better place. Linda is a CTO and she is very willing to share her knowledge with new employees by training on a consistent basis
For additional information, please contact Washington County’s Public Relations and Marketing Department at 240-313-2380.
