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Contact: Douglas Ingram                                                                      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Cell: 801-432-0384

E-mail: doug@douglasingram.net

VECC CREATOR DIES AT AGE 66

Former Executive Director of Valley Emergency Communications Center and first person broadcast live from underwater dies in Centerville, Utah.

Terry P. Ingram, former director of Valley Emergency Communications Center (VECC) and the first person to make a live radio broadcast from underwater, passed away Saturday, September 21, 2013 aged 66 years.  Countless numbers of emergencies have been averted or minimized thanks to the public safety infrastructure Terry Ingram designed and directed in agencies across the State of Utah. Before building SLVECC, Terry made state history by implementing Utah’s first E-911 system in Ogden as Communications Chief of Ogden City Fire Department.  For the first time, Ogden dispatchers and emergency responders were automatically given location and homeowner information.  

In 1988 Terry became Executive Director of the yet un-built Valley Emergency Communications Center.  Commissioned by a coalition of agencies in Salt Lake County, Terry created a unique 911 center designed to accommodate emergency calls for residents of those agencies covering most of Salt Lake County.  By creating a single center to receive 911 calls, critical time was saved by not needing to transfer a caller to the correct municipality and department.  Furthermore, by incorporating radio dispatch into the same center, time and confusion during an emergency were acutely reduced.

Terry kept VECC at the forefront of the public safety industry, making it a model on which municipalities across North America designed their own emergency centers.  After September 11, 2001 Terry’s influence in the designs of both the systems and facilities of the new VECC in West Valley City were proved to be visionary in regard to security and sustainability in the event of a disaster. Terry also consulted on the development of many 911 and dispatch centers across Utah including those for Davis, Washington, and Box Elder counties.

Terry’s contributions to public safety in the state of Utah have resulted in countless lives saved and injuries reduced thanks to the efficiency of the emergency infrastructure he developed.  

Terry also made history as the first person to broadcast live from underwater during a promotion called “The Dam Thing” while working as an Engineer and Disc Jockey for KLO in Ogden, Utah.  

Terry was inducted as a Fellow in the Radio Club of America in 2004 and was named citizen of the year by The Elks organization in 1987.  In 1988 he received the Distinguished Achievement Award from Governor Bangerter.  Terry was also an avid supporter of the Boy Scouts of America, ultimately receiving their highest honor, the Silver Beaver award.

Funeral services for Mr. Ingram will be held Friday, Septemeber 28, 2013. Condolances accepted at  http://about.me/TerryIngram .

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For more information or media materials including photos and newsreel archives please call Douglas Ingram at 801-432-0384 or E-mail Douglas at doug@douglasingram.net.  You may also contact Douglas via twitter @JeepCruzer.

Obituary appearing Sept 24 and 26:

Terry Penrod Ingram passed this mortal existence Saturday, September 21, 2013 aged 66 years.  He succumbed to natural causes.  Terry was the only heir of Douglas Frodsham and Wanda Penrod Ingram born in Ogden, Utah June 4, 1947.  Terry married his eternal companion, Judy Hill Ingram, June 10, 1976 and resided in Clearfield, Utah until 1991 when they relocated their family to Centerville, Utah.

Terry worked as an Engineer and Disc Jockey for many Utah radio stations and became the first person to make a live underwater radio broadcast. He developed Utah’s first E-911 center while working as Communications Chief of Ogden City Fire Department and designed Valley Emergency Communications Center where he worked as Executive Director for 18 years.

Terry served as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the Western Canadian Mission.  He was awarded the Boy Scouts of America’s highest honor, the Silver Beaver, and was a inducted as a Fellow in the Radio Club of America.

Terry is survived by his wife and sons Douglas Terry, Robert Nelson, Kenneth Hill and Bradley Hill.  With their respective spouses, Hannah Youngberg, Amanda Gentry, Jeneil Murray and Jennifer Cluff, they blessed Terry with nine grandchildren: Emma, Tanner, Danielle, Hunter, Savannah, Quorra, Corbin, Kohen and a grandchild expected in January.

Viewing to be held at Russon Brothers Mortuary 1941 N Main St, Farmington September 26 6:00-8:00 PM.  Funeral services to be held September 27 at the Willow Wood LDS Chapel 1298 N 400 W Centerville, UT 11:00am.  A viewing will precede funeral services 9:30-10:30 AM. Condolences accepted at about.me/terryingram