January 23, 2003
1. Meeting called to order – Roger Humphrey
2. Imvocation and Pledge of Allegiance – Vernon Lee
3. Welcome – Roger Humphrey, Ray Preston, Harvey Nobles (Ray’s Manager)
4. Recognition of new members by Roger Humphrey
5. Special presentation – Overview of Smallpox by Dr. Kingsley Sathiakumar, MD, MPH, epidemiologist from the Jefferson County Department of Health
6. Approval of 4th Quarter minutes
a. Motion to approve by Bill Meadows
b. 2nd by Dick Bean
c. Motion carried
7. Financial Report – Richard Holt
a. Motion to approve by Donnie Smith
b. 2nd by Chris Heger
c. Motion carried
8. Committee Reports
a. Legislative – Roger Wilson
Discussed Minimum Standards. No funding source currently, and will not introduce legialation until a funding source is identified. A recent survey of 11 Alabama Counties showed the average income from wireless E911 surcharge is 22.56%, while the average sireless call volume is 41.94%.
b. Wireless Committee – Bill Meadows expressed appreciation to NENA membership for support in reappointment to CMRS Board and encouraged all NENA members to attend CMRS board meetings. Next CMRS meeting is Jan. 29, 2003 at EMA EOC, Clanton AL @ 10:00AM
Reported that all wireless carriers in Alabama have agreed to begin E911 surcharge collection and remittance on prepaid wireless connections by the end of 2003. Also reported that Wireless Phase 2 will have widespread implementation by end of 2003. Art Faulkner stated that with the FCC ruling that PSAP’s are responsible for certain costs in Phase 2 implementation, wireless carriers are now prepared for Phase 2 implementation. Art Faulkner further mentioned the meeting between E911 agencies and BellSouth and notified the membership that a BellSouth tariff would be filed in all nine BellSouth states to charge a recurring fee for connectivity to Wireless Phase 2. That fee is expected to be $190.00/month for each PSAP with BellSouth ALI circuits. Additional discussion involved how prepaid wireless E911 surcharge funds will be distributed, with an answer of the same way wireless funds are currently being distributed. Ray Preston reported that BellSouth has received a total of 5 requests for Extended ALI from Alabama E911 ECD’s. Ray reminded all present that BellSouth MUST be formally requested in writing to activate Extended ALI, and that the former request letter provided to ECD’s could be used without listing each wireless carrier’s method of Phase 2 delivery. Vernon Lee reminded all present to ensure that CAD/GIS/MIS/miscellaneous vertical products providers are notified that the ALI record will be modified to Extended ALI.
c. Membership – Donnie Smith reported he has requested a new membership list from National NENA and will work with each LATA Vice President to ensure that at least one member from each ECD in Alabama has an active member of NENA. Additional discussion was conducted to determine if NENA wants to use the NENA Booth at other meetings/conferences/ect to recruit NENA members.
d. Database – Marcia Scott had nothing to report.
e. Conference – Bill Brodeur had nothing to report. Jo Tranter presented the Conference report for the 2002 Annual AL NENA Conference. Net profit of $17,408.24 was reported. Of that amount, $5,000 will be kept in the conference account and the remainder will be transferred into the Chapter General Fund. Jo reported registration of 595 at the 2002 conference.
Motion to Accept by Donnie Smith (Modification: Net Profit was $22,408.24. $5,000 was placed in the 2003 Conference Account with $17,408.24 placed in the main NENA Account. 4-23-03)
2nd by Roger Wilson
Report approved
f. Minimum Standards – Jo Tranter reported there has been no success in locating funding for any minimum standards requirements. The committee is evaluating any curriculum submitted for approval, but the APCO 33 is the basic standard any must meet. Locally developed minimum standards programs may be submitted for certification. The committree is evaluating the number of retraining hours needed for recertification. After all issues are resolved, the proposed legislation will be rewritten before it is submitted for approval.
g. Managerial Training – Jo Tranter reported plans for NENA to host management training one-day classes in 2003, with NENA to bear a portion of the cost. Topics proposed include:
- Managing and Leading Critical Differences
- Introduction to 911 Technologies
- Introduction to GIS
- 911 Law as relates to FMLA, ADA, etc.
Motion to expend funds to present these classed by Dick Bean
2nd by Roger Wilson
Motion Passed
Jo also notified membership that the ENP Exam will be offered on Sunday, October 12, 2003 at the AL NENA State Conference. Registrants should register with National NENA.
h. Internet/Web Site - John Ellison, Nothing to report
i. Publid Relations – No report
j. APCO – Pat Hall requested all NENA members review the APCO911.org web site. Pat also reminded all that the APCO State Conference is scheduled for April 6-9, 2003 at Gulf Shores, AL. She provided an update that John Wycoff, Frequency Administrator had leg surgery and would be off work approximately 2 weeks.
k. Telco – Vernon Lee stated that Debby Higgins had retired from BellSouth and invited all to attend her retirement on Feb. 14, 2:00PM at the BellSouth AOC location.
l. IACP – No Report
m. IAFC – No Report
n. Historian – No Report
o. GIS – Max Armstrong stated a survey was being prepared and would be placed on the AL NENA Web site to determine the status of GIS systems throughout the state.
p. Sherrie Fincher, Cullman County Sheriff’s Office reported to the membership that they need to be prepared to respond to wireless TDD/TTY devices. She notified that these wireless TDD/TTY cannot be autochallenged by existing TDD’s @ PSAP – You must do a manual challenge. Larry Wright stated the Justice Dept requires a TDD response within 30 seconds of connection.
9 LATA Reports
a. Birmingham – No Report
b. Huntsville – Richard Holt nothing to report
c. Mobile – George Williams nothing to report
d. Montgomery – Pat Hall nothing to report
10. Old Business – None
11. New Business
a. NENA Critical Issues Forum. Chapter Executive Committee proposed to the membership that the chapter send up to 5 members to the CIF in Washington to represent Alabama NENA.
Motion to Approve by Larry Wright
2nd by Art Faulkner
Motion Carried
b. Chapter Goals. Roger Humphrey proposed a five year plan to contain chapter goals. Proposed goals include: Minimum Dispatcher Standards,
911 Funding requirements and distribution, Database with valid addressed, a mobile command vehicle, and wireless tariff
12. For the good of the association
Richard Holt – Language Line had a few problem phone numbers that cannot be back billed. Richard is investigating. Richard also mentioned that if there is a problem with what he bills the ECD, the problem is with that ECD and Language Line. He will NOT issue credits to ECD’s until the credit shows up on the bill.
Pat Hall – APCO conference is Apr 7-10 at Gulf Shores
John Ellison – Extended thanks to the membership from Ron Sparks for NENA support and offered the support of the Alabama Agricultural Commissioner’s office
Jo Tranter requested a list of all agency’s certified instructors
Art Faulkner reminded that the CMRS Board meeting is Wed, Jan 29 @ 10AM at State EOC in Clanton. He also stated that Lee Helms is continuing as Operations Executive at Alabama EMA, but a new director has been appointed by Gov. Riley.
Ray Preston reminded all to sign the sign-in sheet before leaving the auditorium, and that lunch was provided by BellSouth in the adjoining room.
Next Meeting scheduled for April 24, 2003 hosted by Elmore County E911
Motion to adjourn by Art Faulkner
2nd by Bill Brodeur
Motion carried.