Massachusetts TERT

02/04/2026

From January 30 through February 1, Massachusetts TERT responded to Acton in the wake of the sudden loss of active duty Dispatcher Roger Wallace.

Roger dedicated more than two decades to serving the Acton community. His steady presence, experience, and quiet professionalism left a lasting impact on his coworkers, the responders he supported, and the community he served. His passing was felt deeply throughout the Acton public safety family.

In moments like these, the priority is people, while ensuring the community continues to receive uninterrupted service.

Over the course of three days, TERT provided 176 hours of coverage across 22 shifts, with 17 members responding from 14 dispatch centers across Massachusetts. While no one can replace or match the depth of knowledge, familiarity, and instinct of a hometown dispatcher, each TERT member brought their best effort forward, stepping in so Acton’s dispatchers could step back, be supported, and simply be human during an unimaginable time.

Members integrated quickly into local operations, offering steady, professional coverage with care and respect for the center they were supporting. This deployment was not about perfection, but about presence, ensuring calls were answered, responders were supported, and Acton’s staff had the space they needed to grieve and lean on one another.

This response reflects what TERT is meant to be: a trusted network that shows up with compassion, humility, and reliability when our peers need it most.

Massachusetts TERT extends sincere gratitude to every member who answered the call and to the agencies that supported their participation. The willingness to serve during moments of loss speaks to the strength and unity of the telecommunicator community across the Commonwealth.

Though we never wish for the circumstances that require deployments like this, Massachusetts TERT remains ready to support our fellow telecommunicators whenever they need us.

Ryan Higgins-Andover
David Squires-Wilbraham Regional
Andrew Jakubasz- Ipswich
Jennifer Hill- Nashoba Valley
Tiffany George- Sutton
John DeForest- Springfield
Stephanie Brown- Beverly
Amy Seguin- Charlton
Kristin Keefer-Berkshire RECC
Joshua Himelrick- ROCCC
Nicholas Rondeau- Seekonk
Amy Gilliland-Marblehead
Rebecca Ocasio-Springfield
Robert Eak-Westfield RECC
Jennifer Hill- Nashoba Valley
Jordan Oster-South Shore RECC
Nicholas Hurst- ROCCC
Kieran Foggon-Berkshire RECC

National Joint TERT Initiative, LLC

01/20/2026

On January 7, and again from January 13–20, Massachusetts TERT responded to support Uxbridge following the line-of-duty death of Officer Officer LaPorta.

These are the deployments we hope we never face — yet ones we are honored to answer when called.

This deployment was both extensive and unique. Spanning 8 days, it required 44 shifts and 356 hours of coverage, supported by 26 TERT members from 20 dispatch centers across Massachusetts. With no traditional “pilot” phase, this operation demanded flexibility, coordination, and trust from everyone involved — and those expectations were met with professionalism and quiet resolve.

As coverage was provided, we also took time to recognize the life, service, and sacrifice of Officer LaPorta. His loss was felt deeply, not only by his department and community, but by the broader public safety family. Our presence allowed Uxbridge’s dispatchers the opportunity to step away, grieve, and support one another during an unimaginable time.

This deployment demonstrated what TERT truly represents: not just filling seats or covering consoles, but showing up with compassion, reliability, and purpose when it matters most. It was a collective effort, with contributions from team members across the state.

We are grateful to every TERT member who participated and to the agencies that made their response possible. Your willingness to serve during moments of loss reflects the very best of this profession.

We never wish to be needed under circumstances like these, but we remain ready, committed, and united in supporting our fellow telecommunicators whenever they need us.

• Jennifer Bellevue – CMRECC
• Rebekah Caylor – Raynham
• Katrina Desroches – Seekonk
• John DeForest – Springfield
• Rachel Ferrin – Hadley
• Sabina Flaherty – Wareham
• Charles Gillis – Holbrook
• Michael Gethin – POD1
• Tiffany George – Sutton
• Gary Grenier – Medway
• Matthew Hartmann – Westfield Regional
• Robert Eak– Westfield Regional
• Jennifer Hill – Nashoba Valley
• Joshua Himelrick – ROCCC
• Nicholas Hurst – ROCCC
• Jeffrey Keefe – SEMRECC
• Alex McKeon – North Shore Regional
• Shawn McKee – Westwood
• Cynthia Mercier – Grafton
• Annie Murphy – Wilbraham RECC
• Rebecca Ocasio – Springfield
• Jordan Oster – South Shore
• Robert Drinkwater – North Shore Regiobak
• Nicholas Rondeau – Seekonk
• Katrina Shamshak – North Shore Regional
• Brianna Weaver – Auburn

National Joint TERT Initiative, LLCl

01/15/2026

As 2025 comes to a close, we’re taking a moment to reflect on another impactful year for Massachusetts TERT.

This year, our team deployed to 7 communities, providing critical relief and support during times of need. While we never hope for the tragic circumstances that require our assistance, we remain ready and willing to step in at a moment’s notice to support our fellow dispatchers when it matters most.

Beyond deployments, we continued to invest heavily in preparedness through mock deployments and classroom-style trainings, ensuring our members are confident, capable, and ready to respond. Our team stands prepared to adapt and overcome, no matter the challenge.

2025 was also a year of incredible growth and change for Massachusetts TERT. Over the course of the year, the team reached 68 members, reflecting the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of telecommunicators across the Commonwealth.

The progress we continue to make is something we’re incredibly proud of. Massachusetts TERT remains a vital resource for dispatch centers and telecommunicators, and we are honored to support our colleagues during their time of need.

As we look ahead to 2026, we’re excited to build on this momentum, strengthen our team even further, and continue serving with professionalism, collaboration, and heart.

Thank you to everyone who played a role in this year’s success. Here’s to another year of readiness, resilience, and service. 💙📞

01/14/2026

🚨 Training in Action: MA TERT Mock Deployment 🚨

Last week, Massachusetts Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (MA TERT) conducted a mock deployment with Sandwich Police and Fire Departments, and it was a great example of why these exercises matter.

Mock deployments give us the opportunity to practice before it’s real, allowing telecommunicators to experience deployment conditions, expectations, and workflows in a controlled environment. They help identify gaps, build confidence, and strengthen readiness long before a real incident occurs.

During this mock, Sandwich PD/FD:
✔️ Provided an overview of their department and operations
✔️ Shared details about their COOP (Continuity of Operations Plan)
✔️ Allowed TERT members to observe real-world processes and coordination

These exercises are about more than checking a box; they’re about relationships, preparedness, and understanding how each agency operates so that when help is needed, we can seamlessly integrate and support.

A huge thank you to Sandwich PD/FD for opening their doors and investing in preparedness. 👏
Training today = readiness tomorrow.

12/31/2025

On Monday, Massachusetts TERT answered the call to support Fall River, allowing their dispatchers the opportunity to attend services for a fallen coworker.

As coverage was provided, we also paused to honor the life and service of Dispatcher Scott Boyer—remembering his dedication, the impact he made on his coworkers, his community, and the profession as a whole. Moments like these remind us that TERT is more than staffing a console; it is about presence, support, and standing shoulder to shoulder when it matters most.

The Southeast Team was able to fill this request internally, demonstrating readiness, teamwork, and commitment to the mission.

Deployed Members:

Nick Rondeau – Seekonk (Southeast Team Lead)

Kelly Donovan – Holbrook (Southeast Assistant Team Lead)

Nick Hurst – ROCCC

Gary Grenier – Medway

Joshua Himelrick – ROCCC

Shawn McKee – Westwood

Jordan Oster – South Shore RECC

Meghan Munro – SEMRECC

We are proud of the TERT members who continue to step up—quietly, professionally, and with heart—when our public safety family needs us most.

National Joint TERT Initiative, LLC

11/04/2025

MA TERT Deployment – Littleton

Over the course of four days, members of the Massachusetts Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce (TERT) deployed to Littleton Police and Fire Dispatch to provide coverage, allowing their dispatchers the opportunity to attend the services of their fallen Sergeant.

It was an honor and a privilege to assist and to support our brothers and sisters in public safety during this difficult time. This is what TERT stands for, coming together when our family needs us most.

Deployed Members:
• Amy Gilliland – Marblehead
• Amy Seguin – Charlton
• Jordan Oster – South Shore RECC
• John DeForest – Springfield
• Sean Cullen – North Shore Regional
• Stephanie Brown – Beverly
• Shawn McKee – Westwood
• Keenan Leonard-Solis – Georgetown
• Joseph Aberle – Northern Middlesex RECC
• Ryan Higgins – Andover
• Tiffany George – Sutton
• Alison Graham – South Shore RECC

National Joint TERT Initiative, LLC

10/16/2025

🚨 Mass TERT Training Day! 🚨

Tuesday, members of Massachusetts TERT gathered at the Department of Fire Services in Stow for an all-team training session!

During our visit, we had the opportunity to watch the Fire Academy recruits in action out on the training yard 🔥 and learn about the many resources DFS provides to support emergency response across the Commonwealth.

Our group also took time to debrief two recent deployments, discuss upcoming activations, and review ICS principles — all through a fun and competitive round of ICS trivia! 🧠🎯

Thank you to DFS for hosting us and to all our TERT members for continuing to strengthen our readiness and teamwork across the state! 💪📞
y

10/15/2025

💛 Mass TERT Deployment – Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch 💛

On October 12–13, members of Massachusetts TERT were deployed to Nashoba Valley Regional Dispatch to provide coverage following the passing of Bolton Police Chief Hamburger, ensuring that local dispatchers could attend services and grieve with their community.

We are deeply proud of our TERT members who stepped up without hesitation, adapting to a new environment and offering support to their fellow dispatchers in their time of need. 💛

This deployment reflects what TERT stands for: compassion, collaboration, and commitment to those who serve.

10.12.2025
Team Leader Amy Gilliland- Marblehead
Ryan Higgins- Andover
Stephanie Brown- Beverly
Gary Grenier- Medway
Brianna Parker- Auburn
Tiffany George- Sutton
Shawn McKee- Westwood

10.13.2025
Team Leader Nicholas Rondeau- Seekonk
Cynthia Mercier-Grafton
John DeForest- Springfield
Gary Grenier-Medway
Leo DeBole- Beverly

National Joint TERT Initiative, LLC

10/04/2025

📣 MASS TERT Proudly Supports Haverhill Police Dispatch Team

Over the past few days, our incredible team stepped up to provide dispatch coverage for the Haverhill Police Department, allowing their dedicated dispatchers to attend services for their fallen colleague, Officer Tully. It was an honor to support our fellow public safety professionals during this difficult time. 💙🖤

A heartfelt thank you to the following professionals for answering the call:

📅 Thursday, October 2, 2025
Northeast Team Leader Riccio
Northeast Asst Team Leader Gilliland
TERT TC Higgins
TERT TC Aberle

📅 Friday, October 3, 2025
Northeast Team Leader Riccio
Northeast Asst Team Leader Gilliland
TERT TC Morgan
TERT TC Myers
TERT TC Leonard-Solis
Central Team Leader A Seguin
West Team Leader Ocasio
TERT TC DeForest

📅 Saturday, October 4, 2025
TERT TC McKee
TERT TC E Seguin
TERT TC Morgan

We’re proud to serve beside such compassionate and professional individuals. This is what TERT is all about — coming together in service and solidarity. 💛🖤

National Joint TERT Initiative, LLC

07/29/2025

07/10/2025

Second deloyment! This team of TERT members are enroute to assist Kerrville Police Department for 14 day! The first TERT team departed earlier this morning and made it home safe.

We wish this TERT team the best in their deployment!

07/09/2025