Virginia NENA - PSAP News and Announcements

PSAP News and Announcements

NENA Reports Good News On The Legislative Front

Good news: the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act (HR 3403) passed the House on Tuesday, November 14, 406-1. This is a significant piece of legislation for NENA and the 9-1-1 community that we have been working on since 2005. The bill requires VoIP providers to comply with current FCC E9-1-1 rules; contains important liability protections for VoIP and future technologies; makes clear that states/localities can impose fees on VoIP and wireless service but that such funds must be expended in support of 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 and "enhancements to such services"; broadens eligible use of federal PSAP grants to include "the migration to an IP-enabled emergency network" in addition to Phase II wireless E9-1-1; and requires a report to Congress from the national 9-1-1 Program Office.

-Click here for a link to the Committee Report explaining the intent of the bill and the provisions therein

-Click here to review the floor discussion among House Members prior to passage of the bill

We have spoken with Senate Committee staff who are actively trying to move Senate companion (S 428) through the Senate as soon as possible. Majority and Minority staff are meeting today to discuss next steps. It appears unlikely that Senate will try and adopt the House bill. They are inclined to move the Senate version and then conference with the House. I am more optimistic than ever that we will be able to get a bill signed into law this year.

Good news: the DOT Appropriations bill (HR 3074) that emerged from conference was released on Tuesday as well. $1.25 million was included for NHTSA for "ENHANCE 911 Act Implementation" which will be available for the operation of the national 9-1-1 Implementation and Coordination Office (ICO). House passed last night. Senate hopefully taking up this week. Then on to the President. It is unclear whether he will approve or not, but he has threatened a veto...Let's hope this one goes through.

Unclear: Status of $5 million for ENHANCE 911 Act grants contained in House Commerce Appropriations bill (HR 3093) that is going to conference with Senate Commerce Approps bill which contains $0. We do know that the House Commerce Approps Subcommittee Chair (Rep. Mollohan (D-WV)) does not support the funding. Thus, it is important that the recently named conferees for this bill hear from us. House Conferees include: Reps. Mollohan (D-WV), Kennedy (D-RI), Fattah (D-PA), Ruppersberger (D-MD), Schiff (D-CA), Honda (D-CA), DeLauro (D-CA), Price (D-NC), Obey (D-WI), Frelinghuysen (R-NJ), Culberson (R-TX), Rogers (R-KY), Latham (R-IA), Aderholt (R-AL) and Lewis (R-CA).

As always, please contact me with any questions.

Patrick Halley

Government Affairs Director

------------------------------------------------------------

National Emergency Number Association

■

“911 Cares – Everyday Heroes Award” Presented to Virginia Tech Dispatch Center

April Blankenship with the Virginia Tech Dispatch Center receives the “911 Cares – Everyday Heroes Award”. The Award was presented at the National NENA Conference and Trade Show in Charlotte NC, on Sunday June 10. TV’s “EMERGENCY” – Randolph Mantooth who portrayed “Johnny Gage” (pictured left) presented April with the award, who accepted on behalf of the Virginia Tech Dispatch Center for the April 16, 2007 School Shooting.

■

9-1-1 CARES Responds to Virginia Tech Incident

Over 800 9-1-1 professionals from around the world attended the NAVIGATOR 2007 conference in Las Vegas.

9-1-1 CARES asked that they stop by and sign one of three banners made with the Virginia Tech colors. 911 CARES was overwhelmed with the response. 9-1-1 CARES sent the banners to Virginia Tech Dispatch, Blacksburg Dispatch and Montgomery County, VA Dispatch. Here you see members of the Hong Kong Fire Service sign the cards. Through their interpreter they said “it is our greatest wish that the responders of America know that we have been thinking of them since the tragedy of last Monday. Thank you for allowing us this honor to sign this banner, thank you.”

For more information on 91-1 CARES, visit http://www.911cares.com.

■

Virginia NENA and APCO Recognize Virginia Tech Communications Response

This banner was signed by members of the Virginia Chapters of NENA and APCO and delivered to dispatchers at the Virginia Tech Police Department to show our support and appreciation for their dedicated work in response to the tragic incidents of April 16. We salute the dispatchers of Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Montgomery County, and surrounding jurisdictions for their professional response and join in extending our thoughts and prayers to the Virginia Tech community. The letter below was sent by the chapter presidents.

May 2, 2007

Captain Vince Houston

Virginia Tech Emergency Communications

Sterrett Facilities Complex

Blacksburg, VA 24061

Dear Captain Houston:

The Virginia Chapters of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) want to jointly express our condolences, support and admiration for the work done by your Emergency Communications Department in response to the on campus tragedy of April 16, 2007. We are pleased that APCO’s Telecommunicator Emergency Response Team (TERT) could respond to assist your area during this time. We, who also work in 911, know the multiple tasks that were required, such as notifications, mutual aid, and response to the very high call volume and many command and control decisions and reactions.

We understand that Ms. Kerri Smith, Lead Dispatcher, Blacksburg Police Department, delivered to your Center the banner that was signed by many of the attendees of the recent Virginia APCO/NENA Spring Conference in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Please know this signifies our unity with you and your Department of our faith in your strength and perseverance in responding to this tragedy both professionally and personally.

Please do not hesitate to contact either of us should you need further assistance.

Sincerely,

Rodney L. Gentry, ENP Bill Agee

President, President,

Virginia Emergency Number Association Virginia Chapter, Association of Public Safety Communications Officials, Inc.

■

Congratulations to Virginia’s Newest ENPs!

Donna Brown – VITA

Brenda Edmundson – Annandale

Rodney Gentry - Hanover County

If you would like more information on becoming a Nationally Recognized/Certified ENP – please go to http://www.nena.org/pages/ContentList.asp?CTID=37

■

E911 Institute Awards Gala Recognizes Outstanding Virginia Agency

On March 13, 2007, the E9-1-1 Institute and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) hosted the 4th Annual “Honors Awards" Gala. The Gala paid tribute to some of the heroes and leaders this past year, including the Fairfax County Public Safety Communications Division, which was recognized at the annual Awards Gala with the “Call Taker/Dispatcher of the Year Award”.