Talana Watt Madu wins National Emergency Number Association award
Talana Watt Madu, a Police Call Taker with E-Comm and proud Maple Ridge resident, has been awarded the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Gold Line Scholarship—one of only 11 Canadians to receive the honour this year, and the sole recipient from British Columbia.
The Gold Line Scholarship recognizes exceptional 9-1-1 telecommunicators, call takers, and dispatchers who demonstrate professional excellence and a commitment to growth through education.
The award gave Talana the chance to attend the NENA 2025 Conference & Expo in Long Beach, California, one of the largest gatherings of its kind in North America, bringing together public safety experts, technology innovators, and government leaders to share best practices and explore the latest advancements in the industry.
Talana first discovered her passion for helping others as a volunteer at the Crisis Centre BC, which led her to join E-Comm in 2022. Since then, she has taken on a variety of leadership roles and developed a strong commitment to peer coaching and mentorship.
“Receiving the Gold Line Scholarship was incredibly meaningful,” said Talana. “It validated my goals to keep learning and growing, and it reminded me that the work I do as a police call taker truly matters. I came home with new tools, ideas, and a renewed passion for supporting my colleagues.”
During the conference, Talana attended training sessions on mental health, mentorship, and wellness strategies, toured the Long Beach disaster preparedness centre, and connected with professionals from across Canada and the U.S. A standout moment for her was a keynote exercise led by author Suneel Gupta, which revealed the shared challenges faced by emergency communications professionals—and the solidarity that exists within the field.
“One of my biggest goals is to continue developing as a leader within E-Comm, regardless of title,” says Talana. “Whether it’s through coaching, mentoring or simply listening, I want to help build a strong, resilient team where people feel supported, equipped and valued.”
Talana has already begun sharing what she learned, posting stress-management tips and wellness reminders for her colleagues at E-Comm. Looking ahead, she hopes to inspire more Canadian representation among Gold Line Scholarship recipients in 2026.