Department of Public Safety Communications

Published 10th March 2022, 4:11pm

The Ministry of Home Affairs is pleased to announce two internal management level promotions in the Department of Public Safety Communications (DPSC).

The appointments of Sean Vasquez as the Department’s Acting Director and Chelsea Blake as Acting Assistant Director, show commitment to succession continuity.

Sean Vasquez

Acting DPSC Director Sean Vasquez

Having served as the department’s Assistant Director of Electronic Monitoring since 2018, Mr Vasquez was mentored by DPSC Director Julian Lewis, who is now Acting Deputy Chief Officer in the Ministry of Home Affairs. A public safety expert, Mr Vasquez brings decades of law enforcement and emergency management experience to his new post.

The holder of a degree in Business Administration, his extensive work resume and formal qualifications are diverse and encompass several complementary areas of specialisation. Most recently, he led the department’s initiatives in the electronic monitoring of offenders, the national closed circuit television network and the national public safety radio system.

Speaking from his office following his appointment, Mr. Vasquez said: “I am very excited to be taking over the helm of such a dynamic and highly dedicated team at the DPSC.

“I am looking forward to the opportunity of maintaining the highest standards of our training, professionalism and continuing to provide world-class service to the Cayman community, our public safety partners and clients 24/7,” he added.

Chelsea Blake

Acting Assistant Director Chelsea Blake (standing) talks with Communications Supervisor Naddine Davis

Ms Blake’s promotion from Telecommunicator Level 1 to DPSC’s Acting Assistant Director is the culmination of meticulous planning and a far-sighted goal to progress within the department she is committed to.

“If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door,” she said: “I have been building doors since I started my journey with the department 17 years ago. As the Acting Assistant Director, I am honoured to be given the opportunity to work as part of this dynamic group of persons who selflessly provide essential services to the Cayman Islands and make a difference in what they do.”

Ms Blake, who is the department’s Emergency Medical Dispatch Manager, Fire Service Communications, Public Safety Communications, and Communications Training Officer Instructor, has been in a management supporting role since earlier this year.

Determined to advance to the highest levels in a rewarding sector of public service, she has amassed qualifications to this end. Not only has Ms Blake achieved International Leadership in Management (ILM) qualifications, she is also currently studying for a BSc in International Management (minoring in Human Resources) at the University of the West Indies.

Welcome

Ministry of Home Affairs Acting Chief Officer Michael Ebanks welcomed both colleagues to their new roles and said: “I congratulate both Sean and Chelsea on their well-deserved appointments. They both bring strong backgrounds in public safety communications and I look forward to working with them as we provide the Cayman Islands with the next generation of public safety communications services.

“Their appointments also reflect their hard work, determination and exceptional leadership qualities. Furthermore, their promotions show the success of the Ministry’s strategic vision and belief in building for future capacity by nurturing internal talent and implementing succession planning over the years.”

Role of the Department of Public Safety Communications

DPSC has two primary functions.

First, the Public Safety Communications Centre (PSCC) processes emergency (9-1-1) and non-emergency telephone calls and dispatches the appropriate resource to requests for service. These resources include the Royal Cayman Islands Police Service, Cayman Islands Health Services Authority’s Emergency Management Service (EMS) Department, Cayman Islands Fire Service and others.

The department’s second function is the Electronic Monitoring Centre (EMC), which is responsible for the monitoring of selected offenders referred by Her Majesty’s Prison Service, RCIPS, and Judicial Administration.

In addition, EMC is also responsible for the monitoring of cameras associated with the National CCTV Programme.