Alabama Chapter of NENA
Quarterly Meeting July 26, 2001
Dothan, Alabama

Welcome

President Ernie Blair called the meeting to order and led the Pledge of Allegiance, which was followed by the invocation given by Mr. Art Faulkner.  Mr. Blair introduced meeting host Ms. Pat Hall, who welcomed everyone and acknowledged Verizon as the sponsors of the Officer’s breakfast and today’s luncheon.  Next, Ms. Hall introduced Capt. Jim Smith, who represented the Chief and the Department of Dothan in Houston County.  Charles Webb of Coffee County and Dan Mitchell of Lee County were recognized as first time attendees at a NENA quarterly meeting.

Presentation of Minutes and Financial Report

Minutes of the April 26, 2001 meeting were introduced for approval.  Mr. Bill Meadows made a motion to accept the minutes as submitted.  Mr. Roger Humphrey seconded the motion; motion carried unanimously.

Mr. Richard Holt made one correction to the financial report.  The last line reading, “balance as of 4/25” should read, “balance as of 7/25”.  Mr. Roger Wilson motioned to accept the financial report as amended; Mr. Donnie Smith seconded; motion carried unanimously.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

President Blair called for committee reports.

Nominating Committee

Bill Meadows gave the Nominating Committee report in Dick Pierce’s absence. 

• President, Sharon Thomas, St. Clair County
• Birmingham LATA, Kelli Brasher of Shelby County and Jerry Jackson of Calhoun County
• Mobile LATA, Seth Phelps of Baldwin County
• Commercial, Ray Preston from BellSouth
• At Large, Roger Wilson, Walker County 

Ms. Chris Heger motioned to accept the slate of candidates from the nominating committee.  Mr. Donnie Smith seconded the motion; motion unanimously carried.  The floor was then opened for additional nominations to add to the slate.  Hearing no additional nominations, Mr. Bill Meadows moved to close the nominations.  Motion was seconded by Mr. Art Faulkner and carried unanimously.

Executive Committee

Mr. Blair reported on the various topics discussed by the Executive Committee.  He announced that the Wireless Committee was asked to form a sub-committee consisting of a broad representation to address some of the wireless issues and offer recommendations.  Also, the suggestion was made to look into having a representative of the Alabama Chapter of NENA appointed to the National NENA Board’s committee dealing with wireless issues.  In addition, the idea arose to have a statewide technical issues forum similar to National NENA’s technical development forum.  Members will be contacted to identify and prioritize four or five of the biggest technical problems, and possibly to start a process of addressing them in a unified manner.

Legislative Committee

Mr. Roger Wilson said that he and several others presented their concerns about prepaid to the Alabama Wireless Board.  The Board said it is in their administrative rules that prepaid be collected, and their attorney sent out a letter to all wireless carriers telling them they are expected to start collecting and paying the money.  Mr. Art Faulkner added that the letter also requested the carrier to inform the Board of their proposal to collect prepaid.  Mr. Seth Phelps made the motion that the Alabama Chapter of NENA express to the Wireless Board their strongest support for pursuing this effort as far as is needed; Mr. Bill Brodeur seconded the motion; motion carried unanimously.

Regulatory Committee

Reporting for the Regulatory Committee, Mr. Art Faulkner said there was some discussion on charges to Phase II at the OGM meetings.  Mr. Ray Preston said that the commitment was made by BellSouth to the Alabama Wireless Board that any proposed tariff changes would be provided to the Wireless Board for review before filing with the PSC.

Mr. Faulkner said Sheriff Larry Amerson, one of the past president’s of Alabama NENA, submitted a formal request to the Public Service Commission (PSC) to be allowed to receive name and address information from the local databases.  The PSC was told that BellSouth’s tariff did not allow for the exchange of that information.  The chief of the telecommunications division of the PSC is going to try to look at making a change in the tariff or negotiating with BellSouth to see if the law enforcement and emergency response agencies we deal with can be permitted access to some of that information.

Wireless Committee

Mr. Bill Meadows reported that there has been one submission for Phase II wireless.  Due to its high cost and in consideration of the relatively low percentage of total business it involves, it is being held at this time until more proposals are received.  At National NENA, a FCC representative said plans have to be started by this October.  Several companies have filed for extensions, however, a year ago the companies were required to file a preliminary plan indicating their methodology to provide caller location.  About 60 percent, according to her, filed intentions they were going to use handset-based technology.  Around 20 percent said they were going to use a network-based solution, 15 percent, a hybrid consisting of a combination of hardware and software, and then there’s a new source that’s strictly software upgrades to switches.  She went on to say that right now in the marketplace there are very few hardware manufacturers that offer the capability of having GPS with cellular phone use.  Mr. Meadows stated that we are already behind from a technology standpoint so, realistically, this is still two to three years out.

Concerning the database, BellSouth has published the document that contains the new ALI records, and it appears that it will be delivered sometime during this year’s fourth quarter.  Letters to carriers requesting information can be sent out, but, basically, the six-month implementation period will not start until BellSouth and Verizon fix the ALI records to where it can come into your PSAP.  Mr. Art Faulkner said that the FCC has made it very clear that if a PSAP or a 911 district is able to accept Phase II and it is requested, a carrier cannot come back and say they are not going to implement because cost recovery is not in place.  If that happens, the best thing to do is tell the carrier to contact the State Board.  Also, no contract dealing with cost recovery needs to be signed.  The Wireless Board is here to collect and submit the operating money every month and to work with carriers on cost recovery.

Mr. Faulkner said several people have inquired about the amount to budget for wireless revenues next year.  If everyone has received their July check, the amount of money received year-to-date can be divided by nine and that figure multiplied by 12 to get total revenues due this year.  To be conservative, add on 5 percent for next year’s expected increase.

Public Relations

Roger Wilson reminded everyone that the Red E. Fox costumes are available and a great tool to use in the schools.  Also, the new NENA PSAs are available.

Internet

In Mr. Ellison’s absence, Mr. Blair reported that the policy has changed for the Internet use list.  An e-mail must now be sent to Mr. Ellison applying for membership; he will approve or disapprove the request.

Historical Committee

No report.

Conference Committee

Ms. Heger reported that everything is going good for the Gulf Coast Conference in October.  Most of the sessions are in place, and a number of new classes are included.  Mr. Blair suggested that if any member has a legislator who has been responsive and is interested in 911, they be invited to the conference.  Ms. Heger gave a special thanks to Mr. Seth Phelps for his negotiation skills in dealing with the Resort.  The Shrimp Boil will be at the hotel this year.

Membership

Ms. Kelli Brasher spoke with representatives at the National NENA conference concerning membership.  It became an issue that all NENA membership renewals take place in January.  She related that AL NENA Chapter members encourage people to join NENA in conjunction with their Gulf Coast Conference registration which takes place in October.  In effect, these people have a 15-month membership.  This was confirmed, the exception allowed because so many members join AL NENA as a result of this conference.

Minimum Standards Committee

Mr. Richard Holt announced that of the seven positions on the Board, five have been filled; the APOST and Fire College positions remain open.  The Board is going to proceed with their first meeting so anybody that has a training program to be reviewed for compliance with the minimum standards should submit it.  Board members are Jo Tranter, Richard Holt, Pat Hall, Lynn Wright, and Gary Mackey (the EMS representative).

Database Committee

Ms. Debbie Higgins said SCC/Intrado has given their assurance that no MSAG entries will be made without a ledger from the PSAP, supposedly correcting the wireless carrier problem.  BST Quick Service has been turned back on in the State of Alabama permanently.  You will probably see some inserts into your database for the QS accounts.

Internal Database Task Force

Art Faulkner advised no report.

Training Committee

Mr. Jerry Jackson reported that the next training session will be on August 1 at 8:00 a.m. in Montgomery.

Ms. Eleanor Parks advised that on September 21 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Demopolis there is going to be a Domestic Violence Conference entitled “Unifying Efforts to Eliminate Domestic Violence”.  Registration is $35 per person and is open to everyone.

Cheryl Robinson advised that there is CISD training in Birmingham in September.  If anyone is interested, call her and she will provide detailed information.

LATA

As a reminder, the Mobile LATA has started; the new area code is 251.  Mr. Preston said the MPD digit that is associated with an area code from the Mobile Airport will change from one to three.  Those that have the ANI/ALI control located in that LATA will need to recognize the new digit.

Old Business

There was no old business.

New Business

Ms. Sharon Thomas requested authorization to have the battery for the NENA video equipment either repaired or replaced, have the camera cleaned, and purchase a tripod.  Mr. Seth Phelps so moved; Mr. Roger Wilson seconded; motion carried unanimously. 

Adjournment

The next meeting will take place at the Gulf Coast Conference at Orange Beach on October 16, 2001 at 1:00 p.m.  The motion to adjourn was made by Mr. Roger Humphrey and seconded by Mr. Seth Phelps and was unanimously carried.

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