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In Memoriam: Norm Forshee, ENP

Posted: Wed, 01/27/2010 - 5:25pm

It is with deepest regret that NENA announces the passing of Norman H. “Norm” Forshee, ENP after a long battle with cancer.

For two decades, he provided strong leadership to St. Clair County, the Illinois Chapter, and NENA National alike. Through his years of selfless devotion to public safety, he made the citizens of his adopted home state safer and our association more successful.
 
Beyond that, he touched the lives of many and served as an exemplary role model for all who were lucky enough to work or volunteer alongside him. His friendship, commitment to family, and professional dedication will continue to serve as an inspiration to us all.
 
Please feel free to share any memories of Norm or condolences to his family in the comments section.
 
You can watch the video tribute to Norm from the 2008 Stanton Award presentation on the NENA YouTube page.
 
In lieu of flowers, Norm's family has requested that donations be made to the NENA Foundation. A secure online donation form is available.
 
Norm dedicated his entire adult life to his country, public safety, and 9-1-1. After years of serving the nation as a U.S. Marine, during which time he met and married his wife of  nearly 50 years, Nancy, Norm joined the St. Louis police department in 1963. After he left the city police department, he joined the St. Louis County PD, where he rose to the rank of lieutenant and served on a National CAD consortium, lending his expertise on dispatch related issues.
 
Leaving Missouri in 1987, Norm went to the Indian River County Sheriff in Florida and assumed the role of Captain of Communications and Records. However, in 1990 Norm returned to the Midwest when he was recruited by St. Clair County, Illinois to be their first 9-1-1 Coordinator. 
 
Upon arriving in Illinois, Norm immediately became active in the local chapter of NENA, serving as its Legislative Chairman, a position he held for nearly two decades. He was also on the forefront of state public safety issues, helping to write five standards of 9-1-1 service for PSAPs in Illinois in conjunction with the Illinois Commerce Commission. Norm went on to serve as President of Illinois NENA for four years, during which time he was also part of the NENA Institute Board (the body that oversees the ENP Certification Program). He was elected to the National NENA Executive Board in 1998 and served as President of the Association in 2000, and continued to serve after his presidency as the Operations Development Chairman for four years.
 
In addition to Norm’s accomplishments within NENA, he has also had considerable success within his home agency. Under Norm’s leadership, St. Clair County 9-1-1 made significant contributions to public safety. St. Clair was the first agency in America to successfully deploy Phase II wireless and integrated mapping, the first agency in Illinois to implement I2 VoIP call routing using spatial boundaries and MSAG validation, and recently completed an inter-county and interstate 700/800 MHz interoperable radio network.
 
Despite Norm’s battle with cancer, his passion for 9-1-1 and his “can do” attitude kept him busy and active in emergency communications and NENA issues until his passing. He served as a representative to the Next Generation Partner Program on behalf of Illinois NENA, a member of the wireless location accuracy evaluation group, part of the NENA Regulatory/Legislative Committee, and a NENA representative to the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC).  
 
In recognition of his years of hard work, the St. Clair County Board passed a resolution recognizing Norm for receiving the Stanton Award and celebrated June 30, 2008 as Norm Forshee Day.

Remembering Norm

Sat, 02/13/2010 - 7:29am
Stephen OConor

When I first became active in NENA, as I started my second career in Florida just 7 years ago, Norm took me under his wing and became my mentor, but more importantly, he became my friend. 

We worked together on the Operations Committees; he co-chaired the Wireless Committee, while I chaired the SOP Committee. We spent many hours together on conference calls in some extensive discussions. We didn’t always agree, but everyone certainly knew where he stood on every issue that came before us. 
 
Even though he served as NENA’s National President in 2000-2001, when he left that office he continued to give it his all, remaining in public service, and remaining in service to NENA. From my vantage point I witnessed his continuing contributions to NENA, not the least of which was the assistance he gave in the development of NENA’s first Operations Standard, the Guidelines for Minimum Response to Wireless 9-1-1 Calls. He moved up to Chair the Operations Committee, becoming the Ops Liaison, and I had the pleasure of working with him in that capacity until he asked me to take over for him in 2006. They were, indeed, big shoes to fill. 
 
In addition to being a member of NENA’s Hall of Fame, in recognition of his dedication, vision, and leadership to NENA and the public safety community through his commitment and work ethics, Norm received NENA’s highest recognition, the William E. Stanton Award, in 2008. 
 
Those of us who were close to Norm know how persistent he could be. During the time we worked together on the Ops Committees, a frequent topic of conversation was the need for “new blood” in the NENA leadership, and he encouraged me to run for national office. Encouraged me, cajoled me, coaxed me, again, and again, and again. I kept resisting, but he finally wore me down. As fate would have it, no one else decided to run that year. 
 
I wasn't able to attend his retirement party which was held barely two weeks ago,  but in a video tribute I expressed my hope that Norm would be able to attend NENA 2010 and act as the installing officer for our new executive board in June. I am saddened that this is not to be, but I know that he will be with us there in spirit. He will be deeply missed.
 
~Steve O'Conor, NENA 1st VP

Norm

Sat, 02/13/2010 - 7:37am
Anonymous

You will be missed for your insight into what "can be" and your friendship to all of those who love NENA, 9-1-1 and the USA.  Thanks and Rest In Peace

A Legacy That Will Live On

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 9:05am
Anonymous

I was not one of the fortunate ones who knew, or worked, with Norm personally, I knew him only through his outstanding reputation.  He dedicated himself to public safety and left behind a legacy that will continue on.  In this time of sadness, for Norm's family and his many friends, take comfort in the thought that while he is gone, he will never be forgotten.  All of us who benefited from his dedication, hard work and just by knowing him will keep him in our thoughts and memories.

Nancy Banks, NENA Canadian Regional Director

The Passing of an Icon

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 9:37am
Anonymous

Public safety has lost one of our true heroes in Norm Forshee.  Many of you knew that he had been battling cancer for quite some time, but despite it all his tireless dedication and spirit shone through. Even during his struggle with cancer he stayed fully engaged in his home agency and participated in NENA National and Chapter activities.

It goes without saying that Norm was an icon in the 9-1-1 industry.  He was not just a Past NENA President, he was a colleague, friend, mentor, and inspiration to many within the NENA family, myself included.   Norm's hard work and leadership over a lifetime of dedicated service to public safety have left a legacy that will not be forgotten.  Without dedicated professionals like him, NENA would not be the strong association that it is today, nor would the people of St. Clair County enjoy one of the best 9-1-1 systems in the country.

Please join me in saying a prayer for Norm's beloved wife Nancy and their family in this time of grief.

Craig Whittington, ENP
NENA President

 

Norm....Mr. 9-1-1

Mon, 02/15/2010 - 1:16pm
Anonymous

I first met Norm in mid 1991, as St. Clair County was establishing PSAPs.  Through Norms vision and experience the Illinois State Police at Collinsville became the first State Police District to be a 9-1-1 PSAP.  This first in Illinois allowed the State Police to interact with the other PSAPs in St. Clair County to provide the citizens a high
level of access to 9-1-1 and a safer enviroment.  

Norm was a leader and will be sadly missed by the 9-1-1 world and his family.  Norm was a great family man and had no greater love than his family, although right behind that love was his dedication to 9-1-1.  There was one driving force in Norm's life that many times went unoticed, that is his loving wife Nancy.  Without Nancy's
tireless support and efforts behind the scenes, Norm's sucess would have been much more difficult.  

Norm's leadership and continuing dedication to 9-1-1 will not soon be forgotten, his legacy will live on and the 9-1-1 community is better because of Norm's efforts.  His service at the local, state and national levels contributed so much to the betterment of 9-1-1.  Norm's many contributions to 9-1-1 will continue to be used in setting the standards we use everyday.

Although Norm's death will leave some big shoes to fill, his vision and dedication to 9-1-1 will live on through the many people he has influenced and the friendships he made.  Rest in peace my friend.

Jim Cuff
Johnson County 9-1-1
Vienna, IL