MCP Celebrates National Women's History Month

Public safety, like so many other sectors, has been historically male dominated. However, just as the technology the sector uses continues to evolve, so does the number of women entering the sector, and growing within it.

Every year, March is recognized as National Women’s History Month. Throughout the month, organizations, businesses and communities celebrate the achievements of women and their contributions to our country. At MCP, we work with women every day who are making an impact on public safety.

Join us in celebration of National Women’s History Month as we share the stories of women who are leaving their mark and moving public safety forward.

Molly Falls, ENP, Senior Technology Specialist, Mission Critical Partners

Q: What is the most important thing you’ve learned during your time in public safety?

A: For most of my career I’ve been fortunate enough to work with incredibly supportive leaders. Through work, study and candid dialogue, I’ve been able to understand the value I bring to the organizations of whch I work and the teams of which I am part. In women, especially, vulnerability often is seen as a weakness. However, I believe that my willingness to be open and vulnerable with my leaders and mentors has contributed greatly to the success and growth I’ve experienced in my career.

Q: What do you believe has been one of the greatest success of your career?

A: I have built a lot of great relationships over the years with coworkers, leaders and clients, both male and female. However, these relationships mean little if we’re not able to lean on one another and lift each other up from time to time. Some of the most rewarding experiences have been those times when I, or someone with whom I’m working, has needed that extra support. That mutual support has led to the greatest successes of my career, which I consider to be situations where we’re able to put our differences aside and collaborate, support each other, and share opinions and ideas that help achieve our mutual goals.

Captain Antonella Volpe, ENP, CMCP, Support Services, Charles County Department of Emergency Services

Q: How did you get started in public safety?

A: In 1981, I started working as a temporary dispatcher for Charles County, Maryland. At the time, there were three people on a shift—one supervisor, one fire dispatcher and one police dispatcher. Each night, we alternated dispatching for either police or fire. I was the only female on the shift. After several years, the communications section split, and we could choose to work fire or police dispatch exclusively. Many of my coworkers wanted to stay on fire, so in an effort to advance my career and step outside of my comfort zone, I chose police.

Q: How did that decision shape your career?

A: I believe that if you’re going to do something, it must be done to the best of your ability and with true passion and dedication. Throughout the course of my career, regardless of the position I held, I developed a reputation for being very good at my job. But I also was very demanding and had high expectations for those who worked with me and for me. I believe that this drive and dedication to what I do has helped me get to where I am today, in a position that I absolutely love and where I am appreciated and respected for my ideas and viewpoints.

Q: What do you consider one of the greatest accomplishments of your career?

A: In 1993, the lack of formalized training in my organization became a major roadblock for me. I, with support from another supervisor with similar feelings, demanded inclusion in the law enforcement FTO program. After that, the two of us were able to put our heads together and use what we learned to create our own training program. At the time, we were fortunate to have a lieutenant who believed in what we were doing and fully supported our efforts. Ultimately, we were able to develop a product of which we were very proud and set the example for other agencies that wished to follow in our footsteps.

Sherri Griffith Powell, ENP, Senior Communications Consultant, Mission Critical Partners, Events Committee Chair, NENA’s Women in 9-1-1 Alliance

Q: What part of working in public safety do you enjoy the most?

A: Some of my favorite things about working in public safety are the people with whom I get to work every day—particularly the women I have met because of their passion they have for making a difference in the industry and in their communities. I am constantly humbled by the incredibly talented women I meet and the amazing stories of perseverance and strength that got them to where they are today.

Q: What advice would you give to other women who are looking to advance and grow their public safety careers?

A: Despite the challenges that we face, you would be hard-pressed to find a woman who regrets her career in public safety. It is important that we take the passion we have for the work we do and use it to support each other. The biggest piece of advice I would give to women entering this sector—or looking to grow within it—is, “don’t be afraid to ask for help.” I promise you that there is an army of women who have been in your shoes and are constantly willing to offer help and advice when you need it.

Throughout this month we will continue to share stories and advice from women in the public safety sector and celebrating their contributions. MCP is grateful to all of the women whose hard work has helped shape this industry.