Columbia’s former 911 director receives second big award this year

Columbia’s former Emergency Management Directorhas been namedAssociation of Public-Safety Communications Officials (or APCO) International Director of the Year.

Current Springfield-Greene County911 Emergency Communications Director Zim Schwartze is set to be recognized during the opening general session at the 2016 APCO Annual Conference & Expo during Aug. 14-17 in Orlando, Florida.

“As a city, we are very fortunate to have Zim’s wealth of experience in law enforcement, emergency management and emergency communications in Springfield,” said City Manager Greg Burris in a news release.

This is the second top award Schwartze has won this year. In March, shereceived an award from Missouri 911 Operators recognizing her work as a 911 official.

Schwartze filed a wrongful termination lawsuit against Columbia in 2014. She was let go in 2012 before taking a job in Springfield.

Leaders claimed it was a cost-cutting move, but Schwartze claimed she was fired after refusing to resign, and escorted off the property.

Schwartze had been in Columbia for more than 20 years, and was also a police captain.