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Thursday, April 29, 2010

Videos posted

Some conference videos have been posted on the website at www.ksapco.net. A link on the front page takes you to the spring conference page.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

2009 Telecommunicator of the Year

Congratulations to Heather Farney, Kansas' 2009 Telecommunicator of the Year! See the presentation on the Kansas APCO website at http://www.ksapco.net/TCOY.html.

Spring Conference photos posted

Photos of the Spring Conference have been posted to the website at www.ksapco.net. Thanks to Brad Gilges for taking and forwarding the pics to the webmaster.

Wednesday, April 21, 2010

KCJIS Conference information

Information about the 2010 KCJIS Conference in Hutchinson has been added to the Conferences & Training page at www.ksapco.net.

Conference photos coming soon

Photos of the Spring 2010 KSAPCO Conference will be published soon. Check back to www.ksapco.net for updates.

Friday, April 16, 2010

Conference Schedule Posted

The final schedule for the Spring Conference has been posted on the Kansas APCO Website at www.ksapco.net. Hope to see you there!

FCC Celebrates National Public Safety Telecommunications Week

From Stan Blanchard: Washington, D.C. – In recognition of National Public Safety Telecommunications Week, Jamie Barnett, Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB) today recognized the important role that 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers across the country serve in protecting the safety of life and property and the Nation’s homeland security.

“I would like to thank and honor the tens of thousands of 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers across the country who dedicate their time and energy to serving their communities,” Chief Barnett said. “These public safety representatives are there for the American public when needed most in our lives – to answer 9-1-1 calls and ensure that 9-1-1 callers receive professional and timely assistance and quickly get the help they need. These are heroes like Jesse Lynn Avery of Cripple Creek, Colorado, whom I met at the E9-1-1 Institute Awards dinner this year, where she was presented the Call Taker/Dispatcher of the Year Award. Jesse Lynn Avery, and so many dedicated citizens like her, save lives and help people every day. I am proud that the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International and the National Emergency Number Association call upon all Americans to recognize the thousands of dedicated professionals that make up these organizations and serve the public in difficult and stressful situations every hour of every day. National Public Safety Telecommunications Week is thus a great opportunity for me to personally express my gratitude.”

National Public Safety Telecommunications Week was designated by the U.S. Congress annually as the second week of April and is intended to honor and recognize the leadership, dedication and commitment of local 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers across the nation and to also increase public awareness of the importance of 9-1-1 services and the integral role they serve in emergencies.

For more information about 9-1-1 services, including consumer information on communicating during emergencies and using 9-1-1 services, please visit: http://www.fcc.gov/pshs/services/911-services/consumer.html.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

National Public Safety Organizations and Wireless Industry Support "National 9-1-1 Education Month"

Washington, D.C., -- A coalition of national public safety organizations and the wireless industry are calling upon local leaders, public safety officials and elected officials to promote 9-1-1 education in communities around the country. The month of April was first recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2008 as National 9-1-1 Education Month. The "Coalition for 9-1-1 Education" is urging local events such as school outreach, street fairs featuring first responders and their equipment, and distribution of 9-1-1 educational materials throughout the month of April.

The Coalition is an alliance of national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety communications and the wireless industry who have joined together to advance 9-1-1 education. The organizations are the:

E9-1-1 Institute;
National Emergency Number Association (NENA);
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International
National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA);
CTIA - The Wireless Association®;
911 Industry Alliance; and
9-1-1 For Kids®;

A national kick-off event in Washington, DC will occur on April 9, 2010. The 9-1-1 Block Party will be sponsored by the Office of Unified Communications at the Ferebee-Hope Community School in the District of Columbia.

"Effective 9-1-1 education is critical at all ages. We encourage you to join us in our efforts to promote education throughout the month of April," stated Gregory Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute. "Arrange a school visit to your local PSAP, ask representatives from your local PSAP to visit your school, hold a street fair or block party, offer to go to your child or grandchild's class and read about 9-1-1. WE ALL NEED TO GET INVOLVED!""We can never do enough to educate the public about 9-1-1. The commitment of this impressive coalition of public safety and industry to dedicate time and effort to advance 9-1-1 education will help save lives and will produce a significant return on whatever effort is made, stated Michael Amarosa, E9-1-1 Institute Board Chairman. "In addition to school-based activities, there could be conferences and training events for parents, teachers, care-givers that bring together the public safety community and industry leaders in a common effort."

"In today's ever changing communications landscape, we cannot underestimate the importance of better educating the public and managing public expectations about the 9-1-1 system. We are pleased to join all of these groups in support of increased 9-1-1 education efforts," said NENA President Craig Whittington.

"In today's technically oriented culture, education is the link between our communities and first responders. NASNA, as a part of our mission, looks forward to working in each of the states to develop the materials and presentations that will bring our leaders, responders and citizens together through education," said Richard Taylor, President of NASNA.

"APCO members are on the front lines of emergency calls every day," said Richard Mirgon, APCO President. "Our nation's 9-1-1 telecommunicators are challenged daily and an educated 9-1-1 calling public makes their job easier and ensures positive outcomes for all parties involved. We think this is a tremendous idea and we are very pleased to be a part of it," said Mr. Mirgon.

"We are chartered to educate children on how to summon Public Safety services. This month will underscore that need and highlight the activities to accomplish that end. It will also emphasize the overall effort to educate our entire Nation in this vital task, properly calling 911. We are pleased and honored to be a part of this undertaking," said Elise Kim, the Executive Director of 911 for Kids.
"Modernizing 9-1-1 is the key to an overall informed emergency system," said Paul Fahey, Executive Director of the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance.

"Every day, more than 291,000 9-1-1 calls are made using a wireless device and that number continues to grow every year. Our industry supports the 9-1-1 education month because it's important that people of all ages know what to do in the event of an emergency. We believe knowledge is key to saving lives and recognize our industry's important role in helping the public safety community reach those who need help," said Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association®.

Carla Anderson, Deputy Executive Director stated, "The National Kick-Off event in Washington, DC will occur on April 9, 2010. The 9-1-1 Block Party will be sponsored by the Office of Unified Communications at the Ferebee-Hope Community School in the District of Columbia Public Schools." Anderson stated, "E-mail us. Share your events, plans and stories with us. We'd like to share them on our website."

For additional information contact us at contactus@e911institute.org or visit us at www.e911institute.org.

KAC offers webinars

From KSAPCO President Beth Leach: The National Association of Counties, through support by the Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications is offering a series of FREE webinars on interoperable communications. The first webinar is Tuesday, April 13. Signing up for this series entitles you to participate in all four or in individual webinars as you choose. Please share the registration information with others who you think would be interested in participating so they can sign up, too. Not all the same people have to attend the same webinar. You can register at https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/636022690.Following are the dates and topics for the four webinars. All webinars will be held from 2:00-3:30 pm EST.
April 13: Interoperable Communications Governance and the SAFECOM Continuum. Provides an introduction to Interoperable Communications for Elected and Senior Leaders. This is helpful for anyone, particularly decision-makers, to understand the big picture and to obtain a good overview of Interoperable Communications today.
April 27: Developing Advanced Governance Structure Including Regional Governance Models. Governance defines how interoperable communications will work by, through, and with agencies within counties and with neighboring cities, towns, other counties, and states. This session will look at expanding governance structures for regional (multi-jurisdiction) applications.
May 18: Model Practices Engaged by Counties and Cities for Interoperable Communications. Hear from counties that have had successes with interoperable communications in various areas: governance, operating procedures, funding, and migrating to using newer digital technologies.
May 25: Grants and Funding for Interoperable Communications. Learn about the funding cycles and availability of support for interoperable communications from the federal and state level. County examples will also be provided on successful funding efforts.