Director Hooke Also Honored By City of Brockton, Local Legislators
HRECC Director Steve Hooke is presented with a citation from the Holbrook Select Board, including from Chair Daniel Lee, left, and Vice-Chair Pamela Campanella. (Photo courtesy Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center) 
State Sen. Mike Brady, left, and State Sen. John Keenan, right, congratulate HRECC Director Steve Hooke on being named APCO 2021 International Director of the Year. (Photo courtesy Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center) 
APCO 2021 International Director of the Year recipient Steve Hooke with his family, following Wednesday’s Holbrook Select Board meeting. From left, Hooke’s wife Colleen, daughter Carys, Director Hooke, and daughters Bridget and Rhiannon. (Photo courtesy Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center) At Wednesday’s meeting Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan spoke about Hooke’s dedication to his role as Director of the Brockton Emergency Management Agency (BEMA). From Left, Mayor Sullivan, Director Hooke, BEMA Director of Communications Anthony Fowler and Logistics Coordinator Kenny LeGrice. (Photo courtesy Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center)
HOLBROOK — The Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center is pleased to announce that Director Stephan Hooke was honored earlier this week by several local and state representatives regarding him being named 2021 International Director of the Year by the Association of Public Safety Communications Professionals (APCO) earlier this year.
Hooke was joined by his family, friends and colleagues at the Wednesday, Aug. 11 Holbrook Select Board meeting to receive the recognition. Following an introduction of the APCO award by HRECC Deputy Director Lauren Mielke, Select Board Chair Daniel Lee spoke of the many accomplishments Hooke has earned over the years and the work he has done promoting and furthering regional emergency dispatch throughout the area.
“On behalf of the entire Town of Holbrook, we express our appreciation of Steve for his dedication to the Town and for his work to expand regionalization and for being a mentor to so many Town staff,” Chair Lee said.
Due to his many years of service and for being internationally recognized for his work, the Select Board announced that Monday, Aug. 16, 2021 would officially be known as “Steve Hooke Day” in the Town of Holbrook. Chair Lee, Vice-Chair Pamela Campanella and members David Reilly and Lindsy Vayda then presented Director Hooke with the proclamation.
Hooke was also presented with a citation by State Sens. Mike Brady and John Keenan on behalf of the entire State Senate for his work serving the communities of the region.
Sen. Keenan reminded everyone how important it is to remember that whenever one of the 100,000 people who live in the region pick up the phone to dial 911, it’s at a moment in their life when they are asking for help.
“It is critically important that there be somebody on the other end of the line who knows what they are doing and that they do it in a professional manner, and that the technology is there so that the call can be dispatched,” Sen Keenan said. “That works in this region because of the work that Steve has done throughout his career. It’s truly remarkable, and the international recognition is just so fitting.”
Lastly, Brockton Mayor Robert Sullivan spoke about Hooke’s dedication to his role as Director of the Brockton Emergency Management Agency.
“As the mayor of the city and as a lifelong Brocktonian, I can say that Steve Hooke, personally, has saved lives in the City of Brockton. There’s no doubt about that,” Mayor Sullivan said. “We’ve lost 436 residents to COVID and without the efforts of Brockton Emergency Management and the leadership of Steve, that number would be much, much higher. I just want to say congratulations to Steve on a job well done and the best is yet to come.”
To view a recording of the Aug. 11 Select Board meeting, click here. The presentation to Director Hooke is the first item on the agenda.
About the Award
The Holbrook Regional Emergency Communications Center announced that Director Hooke had been named International Director of the Year back in May. HRECC is part of APCO International, the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. Specifically the Center is a part of the Atlantic Chapter, which includes all the New England states as well as New York and New Jersey and is one of 43 APCO chapters across the United States.
Director Hooke, along with the other winners of the APCO International 2021 Public Safety Communications Awards and Technology Leadership Awards (as well as last year’s winners), will be recognized during the Opening General Session at APCO 2021, APCO’s Annual Conference & Expo, taking place Aug. 15-18 in San Antonio, Texas.
To learn more about APCO International, as well as next week’s conference and expo, click here.
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