The winners of the 29th Annual Communicator Awards have officially been announced by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts (AIVA). With around 3,000 entries received from across the US and around the world, the Communicator Awards is the largest and most competitive awards program honoring creative excellence for communications professionals. “Story Time with Chief Cassidy: Dial 911” (Episode 29) was recognized as an Award of Distinction winner in the Film/Video – Youth Audience category. 

 “The submissions for the 29th season of the Communicator Awards were some of the most diverse and powerful yet,” said AIVA managing director Lauren Angeloni. “I am truly blown away by the quality of work. I want to congratulate all the honorees for their well-deserved wins. I also would like to extend deep and sincere thanks to our jurors, who gave so much time and care in the face of this massive undertaking.”

 “Story Time with Chief Cassidy,” is a production of Holliston Cable Access Television (HCAT), with Bruce Gilfoy on camera and Chris McKnerney as editor. The series began in April 2020, as a way for the fire chief to share key fire safety messages with students during the early days of the COVID-19 lockdown. Since then, 45 episodes have been produced and posted to HCAT’s YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Twitter feed.

In December 2020, Story Time with Chief Cassidy was selected as a 3rd Place winner in the B1 Children & Youth category of the Alliance for Community Media – Northeast (ACM-NE) Region Video Festival. In September 2021, Cassidy and Gilfoy presented a workshop, Lights, Camera, Action!, at the 26th Annual Fire & Life Safety Education Conference in Hyannis, MA; showcasing the partnership between the fire department and public access television station.  In May 2022, Story Time with Chief Cassidy was selected as an Award of Excellence winner in the Film/Video – Children’s Audience category of the 28th Annual Communicator Awards. In October 2022, Story Time with Chief Cassidy was selected as a Silver Award winner in the General Education category of the 18th Annual Davey Awards. In November 2022, Story Time with Chief Cassidy was selected as a 2nd Place winner in the B2 Arts and Theater (Including Comedy and Drama) category of the Alliance for Community Media – Northeast (ACM-NE) Region Video Festival.