Alabama Next Generation Emergency Network

The Alabama Chapter of NENA (ALNENA) and the Alabama Association of Nine-One-One Districts (AAND) formed a joint Committee tasked with developing a state 9-1-1 plan and submitting a grant request to the DOT/DOC. The plan was drafted and approved and the grant request was submitted by the Alabama Department of Homeland Security since we do not have a state 9-1-1 agency.

The DOT/DOC grant is to implement an IP based 9-1-1 network and our project budget is $1,900,000 of which at maximum will be funded 1/2 by the grant. The minimum allocation to Alabama is $686,230 and while we know several states did not apply, we do not know the amount (if any) we will receive towards our supplemental request of $263,770.

The award date is the end of September so we should have firm figures soon.

Each ECD will receive a letter requesting their consent for the Alabama Wireless Board to disperse their percentage share of $480,000 directly to the ANGEN grant match. If ECDs do not allow this payment on their behalf then they will be billed at least the same amount if not more when they are ready to connect to ANGEN. We anticipate significant cost savings and improved operations so it will be attractive for ECDs to join the network.

Please note the ANGEN menu choice in the main menu bar for easy access to this "home page" for ANGEN.

NTIA’s Broadband Technology Opportunities Program (BTOP)

On behalf of a growing consortium, the Alabama Department of Homeland Security is seeking $12,373,292 to implement the Alabama Next Generation Emergency Network (ANGEN). We have almost a 200 percent match. Matching funds come from the very substantial investments that local and state agencies will make in high speed broadband transport, while we focus the federal BTOP funds on the innovative and sustainable uses of that transport.

Note the application may be downloaded below.

NGSC Website "The Next Generation Safety Consortium (NGSC) brings together national organizations involved in emergency response, academic institutions, government leaders, and technology partners in a broad, multi-dimensional effort to deploy next generation emergency Information and Communications Technology (ICT). The Consortium promotes broadband access for all 9-1-1 and emergency response agencies, robust and secure broadband backbone networks connecting them, and the multiple services and applications enabled by such broadband access."

Alabama NENA and Alabama Department of Homeland Security are supporters of the NGSC and we expect ANGEN to be used as a proof of concept system for NGSC projects.