With deep respect and gratitude, we honor the life and legacy of Phil Salafia, founder of our company and one of the true pioneers of the 911 profession. Phil passed away after a lifetime of service to public safety, leaving behind a legacy that transformed the way emergency calls are handled and how emergency communications professionals are recognized.

The idea for what would become Total Response was born not in a boardroom, but on the front lines. 

In the late 1960’s, as a young Connecticut State Trooper, Phil was dispatched to what was described simply as a “Sick Person” call. No other details were given. When he arrived, he found himself face-to-face with an armed potential assailant—a man who had walked off the grounds of a mental health facility and had barricaded himself with a shotgun. 

Phil was fortunate that day. He was able to disarm the person without injury and ensure the man received proper care. But the experience left a mark that never faded. 

Had the dispatcher been empowered to ask more questions—particularly about the presence of weapons—Phil knew his approach would have been completely different. 

That moment revealed a vital truth: the 911 call taker had been under-utilized. And it was then that Phil began to envision a better system—one where dispatchers had the training, tools, and confidence to collect more accurate information and better prepare responders. 

In 1983, Phil founded PowerPhone, setting out on a mission that would change public safety forever.

Recognized by the National Emergency Number Association as one of the most influential people in 911, Phil challenged assumptions, raised standards, and elevated the profession with every step. 

He championed Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD) in the State of Connecticut, pushing forward when others pushed back. Because of his persistence, every 911 center in Connecticut now provides EMD—a direct result of his relentless refusal to give up. 

Phil authored the first protocols for law enforcement dispatch and led the development of the first fire service protocols. His crisis communications training—covering domestic violence, suicide intervention, and other high-risk calls—became the standard used by agencies around the world. 

He never stopped pushing for better. And in doing so, he helped train more than 500,000 dispatchers across the globe, building a model of professionalism, preparedness, and compassion.

Long before it was widely acknowledged, Phil recognized the critical role of the 911 dispatcher. He believed these professionals were more than call takers—they were the first, first responders. And he made it his mission to ensure the world saw them that way too. 

He worked tirelessly to promote respect and recognition for telecommunicators, elevating a role that had long been underappreciated. 

“Often imitated but never duplicated,” Phil was a force of nature. He placed purpose above pride, and his passion for protecting lives was at the heart of everything he did.

As his son, and as the President of Total Response, I had the privilege of seeing both the public and private sides of Phil’s mission. He was relentless, opinionated, passionate—and right where it counted. 

He didn’t just build a company. He built a calling. 

His legacy lives on in every protocol we deliver, every  telecommunicator we train, and every life protected because of his work. 

Thank you, Dad. You turned a moment of danger into a lifetime of impact. 
We will carry your vision forward with pride and purpose. 

With love and respect, 
— Chris Salafia