Steven Craig Sr., ENP

This special feature highlights NENA members from various backgrounds, industry segments, experiences, and geographic locations. It offers members an opportunity to share their stories with their colleagues and the greater NENA community. Email NENA Member Services Director Bri Robinson if we should feature you or someone you know.

NENA: What do you like best about your job?

SC: The people I get to meet. I’ve been fortunate to travel all over this great country of ours and I’ve met hundreds of wonderful people! To be a part, even as a vendor of life saving technology still thrills me. Every time I hear cries for help when I listen in on calls I still get goose bumps.

NENA: Is there a particular accomplishment that you are particularly proud of?

 SC: In 1989 while working at Contel as a 9-1-1 Coordinator our corporate office asked me to come up with a 9-1-1 educational campaign geared toward children. I loved comic books and super heroes as a kid and so I came up with an idea called "Captain 9-1-1". I worked on the program for over a year and with the help of many friends at work and at home in January of 1990 we launched Captain 9-1-1 and his dog Dialtone. We had two professional costumes made up as well as thousands of instructional comic books with the Captain 9-1-1 theme. The program was used for many years in elementary schools throughout the southeast helping to teach children the proper use of 9-1-1. So I guess you could say I’m the father of Captain 9-1-1.

NENA: If you could convey one message to the public about 9-1-1 or being a 9-1-1 professional, what would it be?

SC: When in doubt dial 9-1-1, they will help you. The people who put their lives on the line so we can all sleep soundly at night are on the job. Be respectful of everyone involved in public safety. I say this about the true first responders from the call taker/dispatchers to the police, fire, and medics who respond when called upon. They deserve the real credit. I’m just a vendor and don’t deserve the credit these people do but I’m very proud to help them do their jobs.

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