Missouri 911 Service Board Bulletin 10.26.2021

 
 
Message from the Executive Director
 
Happy Fall everyone! The 911 Service Board, committees and staff continue to work hard on many different projects. Two of them you have heard us discuss multiple times this year. The NG911 GIS project and the NG911 Feasibility Study. Both are still ongoing; the Board is expecting DRAFT reports at their next meeting in early December from GeoComm and Mission Critical Partners on both projects. From these reports there will be several discussions and decisions the Board will be making regarding how best to move forward with NG911 efforts in Missouri.
 
The 911 Service Board is also working on a couple of EMS related efforts to help PSAPs across Missouri. There is a group that is looking at AED registration and how best to receive and provide that information back to PSAPs, and another group is discussing the transfer of EMD responsibility in Missouri statute from the Bureau of EMS to the 911 Service Board (To clarify and alleviate any concerns, i.e. "Don't Panic", this is not a mandate for EMD, simply a statutory move of responsibility). Expect to see some draft language for the EMD responsibility move and hear some discussion at the next Board meeting of the AED registration efforts!
 
On the horizon we expect to have some additional news regarding NG911 training opportunities specifically related to cybersecurity, and continued 911 regional group efforts and discussions. The Board will also be discussing the prospect of another grant cycle this winter. Please stay tuned. 
 
I hope you're still feeling the enthusiasm as projects and efforts continue moving forward. As I've had the opportunity to talk with several of you across the state through regional meetings or one on one phone calls, and even meet with several of you in person at conferences I am continually impressed by the folks who staff and work in and around PSAPs across this great state, and a quick reminder for everyone involved in 911 in Missouri, we are glad you are a part of this amazing profession, you are awesome, and keep up the excellent work! Please feel free to reach out to us if you have questions about any of the Board projects or initiatives!
 
Sincerely,

 
 
(573) 489-1088
brian.maydwell@missouri911.org

 
 
Missouri's American Rescue Plan Act Funding Toolkits for Local Governments include Guidance for NG911 Funding

 
 
The state of Missouri has released a series of issue-specific toolkits for local governments to use in considering investments for their communities with the American Rescue Plan Act ("ARPA") local fiscal recovery funding. These toolkits have been developed directly from available guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury by Missouri state agencies. 
 
The Public Safety Funding Toolkit provides ideas on how local governments can support public safety initiatives. Particularly, it describes a need for NG911 and actions local governments can fund including 911 technology enhancements and cybersecurity enhancements for PSAPs. 
 
If you have not already, we strongly encourage you to get in touch with your local government leaders to discuss the use of funds to support NG911. If you would like guidance or support on this conversation, please contact the Board and we would be happy to assist. 
 
Please find the toolkit online at - oa2.mo.gov/ARPAtoolkits/public-safety
Of note, all ARPA fiscal recovery funds must be encumbered by December 31, 2024 and all projects must be completed and all funds expended by December 31, 2026.

 
 
Federal Legislation & Funding Update
 
Next Generation 911 Funding
There are several efforts in motion at the Federal level to acquire funding for NG911. The Board has been active in reaching out to Missouri's Federal Delegation to advocate our support. 
 
·    Budget Reconciliations: Last month, the House Energy & Commerce Committee passed language in its budget-reconciliation recommendations (as part of the Build Back Better Act) that would authorize $10B for a federal Next Generation 9-1-1 grant program. 
 
·    S. 2754: Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto have introduced a standalone Senate bill to provide federal funding for next-generation 911 (NG911) technology in 911 centers, supposedly at the same $10 billion level proposed in the massive $3.5 trillion spending package being proposed in the House. Introduced as S.2754, "a bill to provide funding for the deployment of next-generation 911, and for other purposes," the legislation marks the first time in this congressional session that a standalone bill has been introduced to provide federal funding that would help ensure that 911 centers nationwide can migrate to IP-based NG911 technology. In March, a $15 billion NG911 funding provision was included in the LIFT America Act was proposed by House Democrats, but that infrastructure package did not become law.
 
·    H.R. 1848, the LIFT America Act, was introduced by Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] on March 11, 2021 and includes 32 cosponsors. The proposal includes $15 billion to support the development and implementation of Next Generation of 911 nationwide. We anticipate Missouri would be eligible for $200 - $250 million in potential funding if this Act passes.
 
911 Saves Act
On April 15, S.1175 was introduced by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), otherwise known as the "911 Saves Act." The 911 Saves Act requires the Office of Management and Budget to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a "Protective Service Occupation" under the Standard Occupational Classification System instead of their current classification as "Office and Administrative Support Occupations." The Missouri 911 Service Board wrote to Missouri's Federal Delegation in support of this legislation. Please see a copy of the generic letter here.
 
Protect 911 Act
On July 1, U.S. Representatives Robin Kelly (D-IL), Norma Torres (D-CA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Peter Meijer (R-MI) introduced the Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 9-1-1 Act, or the ''PROTECT 9-1-1 Act." If enacted, this legislation would establish several measures to advance health and wellness for public safety telecommunicators including establishing a system for tracking public safety telecommunicator suicides; developing best practices to identify, prevent, and treat posttraumatic stress disorder in public safety telecommunicators; developing resources to help mental health professionals better treat this personnel; and establishing grants for health and wellness programs in emergency communications centers.

 
 
Reclassification of 911 Dispatchers as First Responders
 
On September 21, 2021, St. Louis County passed a resolution reclassifying 911 dispatchers as First Responders. You can find a copy of the resolution here. 
This marks just one example of an ongoing national effort to reclassify telecommunicators. The 911 Board supports MOAPCO, MONENA, and the MO911DA's efforts to pass similar statewide legislation in Missouri as well. Representative Chad Perkins (R-Pike) has committed to filing this legislation in the upcoming 2022 legislative session.

 
 
Missouri 9-1-1 Telecommunicator Disability Awareness - Full Day In-Person In-Service
 
The First Responder Disability Awareness Training project at Niagara University is pleased to announce a one-day in-service program for 9-1-1 Telecommunicators personnel for the state of Missouri. Four training options are available.
 
Options 1 & 2:
Date: November 15, 2021 or November 16, 2021
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm CST
Location: Fire Administration Building, 427 Monroe St, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Click Here to Register
 
Options 3 & 4:
Date: November 17, 2021 or November 18, 2021
Time: 8:30am-4:30pm CST
Location: Eureka Fire Protection District - Station 2, 1815 West 5th Street, Eureka, MO
Click Here to Register
 
This program is developed strictly for 9-1-1 personnel as a one-day training to introduce disability awareness. Content includes, but is not limited to, speech disabilities, the Americans with Disabilities Act, Relay Services, disabilities defined specific to PSAPs, communication barriers, person/identity-first language, augmentative/alternative communication.
 
For more information, please download the below event flyer here. 

 
 
 
National 911 Program Kicks Off Nationwide CAD Assessment Project - Update from 911.gov

 
 
Nearly every Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in the U.S. uses a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system to dispatch 911 calls and to facilitate records management. Very few, if any, CAD system components are uniform across vendors.
 
This situation creates a significant barrier to transferring emergency calls and associated data - such as caller location information - an essential function required for the 911 community to transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911) functionality. It also creates a significant challenge for transferring call information to first responders in the field via public safety broadband networks - such as the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN) being implemented by the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet) - which is needed to enhance responder safety and situational awareness.
 
"The decentralized nature of today's CAD environment hinders data-sharing within the 911 community and between 911 systems and public safety broadband networks like FirstNet," said Laurie Flaherty, National 911 Program Coordinator. "To realize the benefits of a nationally interconnected, seamless system of systems, the disparate nature of CAD systems must be understood, and solutions developed for the 911 community."
 
To support the National 911 Program in a nationwide assessment of the current status of CAD systems, the National 911 Program has selected Mission Critical Partners (MCP). This selection was made following a full and open solicitation, and comprehensive evaluation of all proposals. The assessment and resulting report will summarize the current status of CAD, and the challenges associated with establishing an interoperable 911 CAD data-sharing capability nationwide.
The National 911 Program is responsible for improving coordination and communication among federal, state, and local ECCs, personnel, and telecommunications carriers and vendors. One of the Program's primary objectives is to develop and share resources concerning the technology used in providing 911 services.
 
Contact nhtsa.national911@dot.gov with any questions and check 911.gov for more details soon. 

 
 
Phase Out of 3G Cellular Networks
 
As early as January 1, 2022, mobile carriers are beginning to phase out 3G services. The FCC announced the below schedule. Please find more information from the FCC here. Those 3G phones impacted also will not be able to dial 911 beyond those carrier network shutdown dates.
 
·    AT&T announced that it will finish shutting down its 3G network by February 2022.
 
·    Verizon announced that will finish shutting down its 3G network by December 31, 2022.
 
·    T-Mobile announced that it will finish shutting down Sprint's 3G network by January 1, 2022 and Sprint's LTE network by June 30, 2022. It also plans to shut down T-Mobile's 2G and 3G networks, but has not yet announced a date.

 
 
PEW Panel Webinar: How Do 911 Call Centers Manage Behavioral Health Crisis Calls?

 
 
October 26, 2021 - 11:00 - 12:00pm CT
Register Now 
 
The conversation will be about: 
·    New Pew findings on the challenges that 911 call-takers and dispatchers face when handling behavioral health crisis calls
·    The disjointed collection of call options available to people reporting these crises
·    States' efforts to implement 988, a new behavioral health-focused emergency number
 
Panelists: 
·    Utah State Representative Steven Eliason
·    April Heinze, director of 911 and PSAP operations, National Emergency Number Association
·    Dr. Debra Pinals, director of the program in psychiatry, law, and ethics, University of Michigan
·    Kent McKenzie, director of emergency communications, Lake County Sheriff's Office (Illinois)

 
 
Upcoming Meetings
 
911 Service Board Meeting
December 9, 2021
Virtual Meeting
By Computer -  us06web.zoom.us/j/82955800989
By phone - +1 312 626 6799
Meeting ID: 829 5580 0989
 
All meetings can be found on the Missouri 911 Service Board website.

 
 
Please feel free to share this bulletin, and invite individuals to subscribe on the Missouri 911 Board Website found here. 

 
 
Missouri 911 Service Board
missouri911.org
P.O. Box 2126
Jefferson City, MO 65102
(573) 200-6010
MPSCC Fall 2021 – NENA President Report
MISSOURI NENA WBSITE:   www.monena.org
  • Revamped
  • Links for National NENA, MPSCC, ENP, etc
  • Also available for employment postings
Missouri 911 Service Board: www.missouri911.org  
  • Meetings posted on website – currently meeting monthly
  • Also post committee meetings
  • Information on grant cycles  -
Important dates:
  • October 6, 2021 – first National NENA “Health Huddle” (online)  www.nena.org/continuum 
  • January 17-20, 2022 – NENA Standards & Best Practices Conference – San Diego CA
  • February 13-16, 2022 – 9-1-1 Goes to Washington DC
  • March 13-16, 2022 – MPSCC Spring Conference – Chateau on the Lake; Branson MO
  • June 11-16, 2022 – National NENA conference in Louisville, KY
    • Currently taking papers for training instructors
    • Apply for Goldline scholarship
  • September 25-28, 2022 – MPSCC Fall Conference (tentatively Kansas City MO)
 
NENA updates:
  • Celebrate & Recognize Program                               
911.gov NG911 Institute, etc.

   
  • NENA 911talk email list
    • You can submit questions, request information, etc

  • New telecommunicator40 hour certification course is now available – on line $299
   
  • ENP (Emergency Number Professional) certification – a new reference manual is available
 
  • Legislation
    • 911 Saves Act – Reclassification of 911 telecommunicators at the Federal level is still in motion
    • Federal funding (would appropriate $10 billion for grants for NG 9-1-1 implementation, operation, and maintenance, also would include NG 9-1-1 training
      • See MONENA FB post for details
      • Missouri NENA Board forward letters to Missouri legislators encouraging support.
      • If you want copies of these letter so that you can send letters of support please contact Bonne at bwittschulte@lawrencecountymo911.gov
    • Scott Penman will be giving an update on state legislative issues at this meeting
 
  • Standards update
    • The NENA i3 version 3 standard has been finalized and is out for approval – should hear something back in October
 
  • Currently taking nominations for the 2023 National NENA Board
 
  • Membership renewal time is approaching
 
  • Elections for Missouri NENA will begin the nomination process in early 2022 with installation of the following positions at the MPSCCs spring Conference in March – President, 2nd Vice-President, and Treasurer – please contact Saralyn Hayes if you would like any additional information
 
Contact Information:
President; Bonnie Witt-Schulte; bwittschulte@lawrencecountymo911.gov   417-489-0589
Vice-President; Jamie Taylor;  Jamie.Taylor@cityofls.net
2nd Vice-President; April Ford;  aford@jasco.org
Treasurer; Lisa McCool-Rataczak;  director@mc-911.org
Saralyn Hayes; Secretary; shayes@marc.org
Matthew Knight; Commercial Liaison; mknight@sdrmaps.com
 
MO911SB Training Committee; Pam Opoka; popoka@marc.org
MO911SB GIS Committee; Saralyn Hayes; shayes@marc.org
MO911SB Grant Committee; Lisa McCool-Rataczak; director@mc-911.org
MO911SB NG911 Committee; Chuck Farr; cfarr@sfc911.net
MO911SB AED Committee; Saralyn Hayes; shayes@marc.org
MONENA Scholarship Committee; April Ford; aford@jasco.org
MONENA Nominating Committee; Saralyn Hayes; shayers@marc.org
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