Kansas APCO News

APCO Applauds Congress on a Bipartisan Compromise to Provide Public Safety with the Spectrum, Funding and Authority to Launch a Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network

2012-02-21T08:53:00.000-06:00

APCO INTERNATIONAL, WASHINGTON, D.C. – As part of a major legislative package for the extension of payroll tax relief and unemployment benefits, House and Senate conferees have come to an agreement that will provide public safety with the spectrum, funding and authority necessary to launch a long overdue nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network. While other legislative details of the larger package remain to be worked out, negotiators have signaled agreement on the allocation of D Block to public safety and related funding and governance provisions.

“APCO International thanks our congressional supporters on both sides of the aisle in both chambers of Congress for their dedication to responsibly achieving the build out of a Public Safety Broadband Network and in supporting Next Generation 9-1-1 technologies,” said Gregg Riddle, APCO International President. “We pledge our full cooperation in the implementation of this legislation for the betterment of our nation’s security and look forward to working with these dedicated congressional leaders in the future on important legislation to public safety and the citizens we serve.”

APCO specifically applauds the tireless dedication on this issue of Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John D. Rockefeller, IV (D-WV) and Ranking Member Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI6), Subcommittee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR2) and Ranking Members Henry Waxman (D-CA30) and Anna Eshoo (D-CA14).

“This is a momentous legislative achievement for our first responders and the citizens they serve with credit going to the Commerce Committee leadership in both the House and Senate and extending as well to the unwavering support of the Homeland Security Committee leadership in both chambers, the Obama Administration, the Federal Communications Commission, the nation’s governors, state legislators, state chief information officers, county executives, mayors and the police, sheriff, fire, emergency medical service and 9-1-1 communications professionals throughout the country,” said Richard Mirgon, APCO International Past President and liaison to the Public Safety Alliance. “This compromise is a victory for the citizens of the United States that will enhance mission-critical communications in a flexible and responsible way that supports nationwide interoperability and efficient use of available spectrum.”

Based on the details available at press time, the bipartisan compromise provides for the allocation of D Block to public safety to be governed through an independent board under the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), funding of $7 billion for the build out of the network to come from proceeds of incentive auctions of spectrum, and the eventual give-back of spectrum in the 470-512 MHz or T-Band on a projected 11-year timetable for clearance of the channels with the costs supported for the relocation of these licensees. The legislation also includes funding for Next Generation 9-1-1 technologies.

February MCS Newsletter available

2012-02-16T09:01:00.000-06:00

The February "Member and Chapter Services" newsletter is now available on the KSAPCO website at http://www.ksapco.net/newsletter.html.

Basic TERT/TERT Team Leader classes offered

2012-02-16T09:00:00.000-06:00

Once again at the Spring Conference, the Basic TERT and TERT Team Leader classes will be offered. Please note the dates of the classes. For more information, visit the website at http://www.ksapco.net/.

January KCJIS Meeting Minutes posted

2012-02-09T15:32:00.002-06:00

The January meeting minutes for the KCJIS Committee have been posted on the KSAPCO Website. You can view them at http://www.ksapco.net/kcjis.html.

Senate Bill introduced to "clean up" the 911 Act

2012-02-09T11:45:00.000-06:00

Michelle Abbott, KSAPCO Legislative Chair, Please note below information from Chairman Walt Way.

Several clarifications are needed to the 911 Act and that a bill would be introduced in the Senate in the near future to address those needs. Senate Bill No. 384 was introduced in the Senate on February 6th and referred to the Committee on Utilities on February 7th . This bill is scheduled for a hearing before that Committee on February 14th.

The clean-up items are summarized as follows:

1. To clarify the definition of “Subscriber Account” to address the issue of how many 10 digit access numbers behind a multi-line telephone system switch or equivalent service will be assessed the 911 Fee. There were some varying interpretations as to whether the 911 Fee should assessed on all 10 digit phone numbers served by such a switch or on the outbou nd talkpaths serving that switch. The recommended language in the bill supports assessment of the 911 Fee on the outbound talkpaths serving the switch as that is the actual limit of how many concurrent 911 calls could be made by the 10 digit phone numbers served by the switch.

2. Since we introduced the term “Multi-line telephone system” in the above definition, we are adding that as a definition in the statute.

3. A request was made by the Governor’s Appointments Secretary to have staggered terms for the 911 Coordinating Council members in order to reduce the impact of having to process 26 appointments at the same time every three years. The proposed language in the bill modifies existing terms of members to address this request.

4. The last modification addresses the method of distributing prepaid wireless 911 fees that exceed $2,000,000 in a year. We learned from discussions with KDOR that they do not collect jurisdiction spe cific information with the various sales taxes collected by retailers and would be unable to identify where these fees are collected so the LCPA could remit to the appropriate PSAPs. The proposed language would direct the distribution of the fees in excess of the $2 million threshold to “counties in an amount proportional to each county’s population as a percentage of the population of the state”.

I plan on submitting testimony in behalf of the 911 Coordinating Council to support this bill. If you have any concerns or questions about this bill, please contact me. If you are supportive of this bill, please let me know.

Thanks.
Walt Way

Needed updates made to webpage

2012-02-02T10:33:00.000-06:00

After the much needed addition of new information and features to the Kansas APCO website, it became somewhat difficult to navigate and find what was needed. Therefore, the website has been completely overhauled.

Because of the changes, some of the links in the News/Blog section may not work. Not to worry, the information is still there...just in a different location or format.

For information on the 911 Coordinating Council, PSAP Reporting Requirements, and other SB50 changes, visit the new "911 Coordinating Council" tab on the home page or at http://www.ksapco.net/911_Council.html.

Regional Homeland Security Council minutes can be found under the "Homeland Security" tab on the home page or at http://www.ksapco.net/homeland_security.html.

KCJIS Committee minutes can be found under the "KCJIS" tab on the homepage or at http://www.ksapco.net/kcjis.html.

There is a new tab on the menu bar for Member and Chapter Services Newsletters, or they can be found at http://www.ksapco.net/newsletter.html.

And, were gearing up for the Spring Conference in Hutchinson. The conference pages are unchanged, so register now at http://www.ksapco.net/spring.html.

A Site Map has been added at http://www.ksapco.net/sitemap.html.

And if there is anything that has been missed or you find broken links, never hesitate to contact the webmaster at bjtracy@co.sumner.ks.us.

911 Coordinating Council info posted

2012-02-01T08:58:00.000-06:00

Information on the 911 Coordinating Council has been posted to the website at http://www.ksapco.net/committees.html. Minutes from their last meeting, as well as their 2012 Workplan and 2012 Budget is available.

2011 PSAP Reporting

2012-01-31T10:15:00.000-06:00

Expenditure reports for the 2011 year are due by February 29. The report, in Excel spreadsheet format, along with instructions and a link to the KAC webpage have been posted at www.ksapco.net on the Legislative Page.

"He Heard Hannah"

2012-01-26T08:35:00.000-06:00

Harvey County 911 Director Courtney Becker has co-authored a book about a 911 call he took in 2004 and how it impacted his life. Learn more about "He Heard Hannah" at http://heheardhannah.com/

Updates on Spring Conference posted

2012-01-23T09:28:00.000-06:00

More information on the Spring Conference has been announced, including a sampling of tentative classes as well as information on a "Resource Rodeo" which will be available at the conference. You won't want to miss this. START and TERT Training will also be offered. For information, visit the KSAPCO website at http://www.ksapco.net/spring.html.

KCJIS Committee notes now posted

2012-01-10T08:32:00.000-06:00

Notes from the November KCJIS Committee Meeting are now available at http://www.ksapco.net/committees.html.

Telecommunicator of the Year packet now available

2012-01-05T11:13:00.000-06:00

The nomination packet for Kansas APCO's 2011 Telecommunicator of the Year has now been posted at
http://www.ksapco.net/spring2012TCOY.html.

Each year, Kansas honors it's top professional at the Spring Conference. If you know of someone who meets the criteria for Kansas TCOY, nominate them today! Deadline for applications is March 1.

Spring Conference page is launched

2011-12-27T11:42:00.000-06:00

Kansas APCO has launched it's 2012 Spring Conference page at http://www.ksapco.net/spring.html. More information will be added regularly as planning for the conference develops. The conference will be held on April 1-3 at the Ramada Hutchinson, and will feature renown motivational speaker Dr. Kimberly Alyn. A welcome letter to Vendors and Sponsors can also be found on the page.

The Spring Conference is when Kansas APCO recognizes the state's top professional from 2011. Nomination forms for "Telecommunicator of the Year" are being drafted, however now is a good time to start thinking about that special dispatcher who goes "above and beyond".

Check the conference page, as well as ksapco.net for updates.

Lee announces candidacy for APCO International 2nd VP

2011-12-27T10:24:00.000-06:00

APCO Chapter President and Executive Council Representative,

Please allow me this opportunity to let you know that I have decided to run for the office of 2nd Vice President of APCO Int’l for the 2012-2013 year. As we all discovered at this year’s conference, there is a need for well qualified individuals to step forward and put themselves in a position to represent our association. I did so by presenting my name for the vacant position this year which President Riddle appointed Gigi Smith to fill. I have been a member of APCO Int’l for 17 years and am a life member. I also have been the Executive Council representative for the Nevada Chapter for the last five years and have held a number of offices within the Nevada Chapter. I am privileged to be the Co-Chair of the APCO/NENA National Joint TERT Initiative (NJTI) which is the only officially recognized project between the two associations. As such I have had the opportunity to represent our association at many venues promoting the initiative. Additionally, I was the Chairman for APCO Project 42.

Although retired from the Sparks Nevada Police Department I have remained active within the association. I started a thirty year career as a dispatcher and later on, supervised the communications center for my department. Additionally I was responsible for all of the communications aspects of the department which included m anaging the radio, 9-1-1, and mobile computer systems. The last ten years of my career I sat on and was chairman of the Washoe County 9-1-1 board which was responsible for dissemination of surcharge funds to the local PSAP’s in Washoe County, Nevada. I have continued to remain passionate about the association and how it represents all aspects of the communications field.

APCO Int’l has seen many changes recently. Thanks to the “D Block” initiative we now have a voice and representation in congress. As such, I believe we need to take advantage of that voice and upon completion of the “D Block” take the opportunity to further other causes through congressional means. There are a number of those needs such as a national training standard, recognition of telecommunicators as 9-1-1 professionals (rather than clerical workers) and first responders as was so well identified in P roChart. Our AFC section continues to re-establish itself as a leader in frequency coordination and hopefully will have even more activity in the future.

I am seeking your Chapter’s support in this endeavor. Within the next few months I plan on personally contacting as many of you as possible.

Respectfully,

W. Brent Lee
Nevada Chapter

Northeast Region Homeland Security Minutes released

2011-12-27T10:22:00.000-06:00

Minutes of the November meeting of the Northeast Regional Homeland Security Council have been posted on the website at http://www.ksapco.net/files/Council_Minutes_Nov_23_11.pdf.

MCS Newsletter

2011-12-20T08:47:00.002-06:00

The December "Member and Chapter Services" newsletter is now available at http://www.ksapco.net/.

APCO President calls for support on D Block changes

2011-12-13T11:27:00.000-06:00

APCO President Greg Riddle has issued a "Call to Action", requesting support on changes to Federal D-Block Legislation. Information can be found on the KSAPCO Legislative page at http://www.ksapco.net/legislation.html

Member and Chapter Services Newsletter

2011-11-29T09:19:00.002-06:00

The November MCS Newsletter is available online at http://www.ksapco.net/files/E-Newsletter_November_2011_Rev_2_.pdf.

Logo Contest: Deadline December 31st

2011-11-28T10:17:00.000-06:00

With the introduction of the new APCO Intl logo, the Kansas Chapter is looking at a new logo for themselves, and they are seeking your help. A logo contest to develop a new logo is being conducted. Information on the contest can be found at http://www.ksapco.net/logo_contest.html.

Homeland Security Meeting Minutes added to webpage

2011-11-23T15:39:00.000-06:00

Minutes of the November South Central Kansas Regional Homeland Security Council meeting have been added to the website at http://www.ksapco.net/files/SCRHSC_Nov_2011_Meeting_Minutes.pdf.

Bill proposed to entend Narrowbanding deadline

2011-11-18T08:49:00.000-06:00

From Stan Blanchard, Shawnee County: Breaking News -- Bill proposed to extend Narrowbanding by 2 years.

112TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION - H.R. 3430
To direct the Federal Communications Commission to extend the final deadline for private land mobile radio licensees to migrate to narrowband technology by 2 years

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES - NOVEMBER 15, 2011
Mr. ROTHMAN of New Jersey introduced the following bill which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce:

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/BILLS-112hr3430ih/pdf/BILLS-112hr3430ih.pdf

October KCJIS Committee Minutes available

2011-11-14T15:00:00.000-06:00

Minutes of the October Meeting of the KCJIS Committee have been posted on the KSAPCO website at http://www.ksapco.net/. Thanks to Brad Gilges for the update.

911 Coordinating Council provides update

2011-11-14T14:59:00.000-06:00

From the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council, November 14, 2011: :

As you know, Senate Bill 50 that was passed during the 2011 Legislative Session, made significant changes to the 911 laws of the state. We wanted to update you on several key aspects of the new law.

• Local Ordinances and Resolutions. First and foremost, it is important that you understand that local ordinances and resolutions with regard to 911 fees will become invalid as of January 1, 2012. It is recommended that you repeal your existing ordinances and resolutions as of that date, and adopt a new ordinance or resolution to administer the new 911 fees that you will begin receiving in 2012. An example of a county resolution can be found on the http://www.kansas911.org/ website.

• Statewide Coordinating Council. As required by the new law, the Governor has appointed the 911 Coordinating Council which has been tasked with several timeline sensitive functions. A complete list of Council members can be found at http://www.kansas911.org/

• Website Expansion. To keep all PSAP directors, managers and or supervisors up-to-date with these challenges, the Council has expanded the existing http://www.kansas911.org/ website. Until now, the only information at this website has been your monthly 911 wireless fees. However, the Council has created a much broader site to keep the flow of information as timely and fluid as possible. This website will be updated frequently as information becomes available and all meeting minutes will be posted for your review. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with this site and let us know if there are ways that it can be improved to provide you with better information and services.

• Annual Reporting Requirement. The new 911 law requires an annual report to be filed by all PSAPs regarding their previous year’s 911 revenues and expenses. This report will be due to the Council before March 1, 2012. In early 2012, you will be sent directions for filling out the form and submitting it electronically. The Operations Sub-Committee, headed by Michele Abbott from Hutchinson (michele.abbott@renolec.com), is refining the form and will put a sample online in the next few weeks so that you will know in advance the type of data that you will need to provide.

2011 and 2012 will be busy and progressive years for the State of Kansas and 911. The 911 Coordinating Council looks forward to the upcoming challenges and changes that we as a state will face together. We stand firmly supportive towards the goal of providing a high quality of service for the State of Kansas and its citizens.

APCO seeks support for D Block

2011-11-14T14:57:00.000-06:00

From Roger W. Wespe, Government Relations Manager, APCO International:
We have been asked by our champions in the Senate to encourage state and local public safety entities to draft a letter to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction supporting the allocation of the D Block to public safety.
The letter should urge the Joint Select Committee to include S. 911, the Public Safety Spectrum and Wireless Innovation Act of 2011 in their deliberations. We’ve been asked to collect the letters and have them available for presentation at a press conference to be held on Tuesday, November 15 at 11 on the Capitol grounds (see attached map for the location). In particular, we need letters from public safety agencies, local governments, affiliates and state chapters located in Ohio, Texas, Massachusetts, Washington, Montana, Arizona, Maryland, South Carolina and California.
You are all welcome to attend the press conference on Tuesday; we also urge you to reach out to your contacts in local law enforcement, fire and EMS and ask them to be a part of the event as well. Our Senate supporters have asked to have at least 100 people in uniform at the press conference to show national support.
For your reference, attached are letters from APCO, USCM, NLC, and NGA that have already been sent to the Joint Committee.
If your organization or company has already drafted a letter and has sent it to the Committee, please send a copy of it to Yucel Ors orsy@apcomail.org as soon as possible. If your organization or company has not yet drafted a statement of support, please consider using the attached template letter.

Thank you for your support.

Webmasters Note: Linked files can be found on the KSAPCO website at http://www.ksapco.net/legislation.html.

Conference Photos added

2011-11-09T14:41:00.002-06:00

Photos of the 2011 Fall Conference have been added to KSAPCO's Flickr Photostream at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ksapco/sets/72157627967152495/. Thanks to photographer Brad Gilges for taking the pics.