Alabama Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association

January 27, 2000  

 Call to Order and Welcome:

 Interim-President Seth Phelps of Baldwin County called the meeting to order.  Mr. Brad Smith of Escambia County gave the invocation.  Mr. Roger Wilson of Walker County welcomed us to the area.  Mr. Wilson introduced Mr. Justin Hart of the Mount Eagle News as a guest.  A drawing for two door prizes produced winners Mr. Roger Humphrey of Cullman County and Debbi Higgins of BellSouth Services.

Minutes from the October meeting were reviewed for approval.  Mr. Bill Brodeur of Etowah County made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted.  Mr. Brad Smith seconded the motion.  All members were in favor and the motion carried.

Mr. Brad Smith presented the financial report (regular and conference).  Ms. Kelli  Brasher of Shelby County gave a conference report.  Mr. Bill Brodeur made a motion to approve the financial report as submitted.  Roger Wilson seconded the motion.  All members were in favor and the motion carried.

Mr. John Ellison of Shelby County reported the Officer nominations and the election results.  Mr. Ellison explained that the ballot mailing received the typical 25% return.  The following officers were sworn in as a result of this election: Mr. Dick Pierce (President), Mr. Roger Wilson (at-large), Ms. Pat Hall (Montgomery LATA), Mr. Roger Humphrey (Huntsville LATA), Ms. Kelli Brasher (Birmingham LATA), Mr. Seth Phelps (Mobile LATA), Mr. Bill Brodeur (Past President), and Mr. Ray Preston (Commercial). 

President Dick Pierce of Tuscaloosa assumed the meeting and thanked every for their confidence in him and the new board.  He explained that the group was created to provide representation across the State.  He reminded everyone to let his or her area representative know what occurred in his or her area.

President Dick Pierce announced that Mr. Roger Humphrey was to be appointed Treasurer.  Ms. Kelli Brasher was appointed Conference Chair and Secretary.  Mr. Bill Brodeur would serve as 1^st Vice-President.

Mr. Richard Holt of Limestone County and Mr. Roger Humphrey reported for the Minimum Standards Committee.  Mr. Humphrey reminded everyone how hard this committee had worked.  Mr. Holt reported that more information was available on the ALNENA Website.  Mr. Humphrey reported that there would be a meeting at 7:30 in Montgomery February 17, 2000.  He recommended that Mr. Richard Holt and another representative be reimbursed for expenses incurred attending this meeting.

Mr. Bill Brodeur reported that the majority of the State should be receiving Phase I wireless within six months.

Ms. Kelli Brasher reported from the Database Committee.  She explained some problems that had been incurred due to NRF.  She recommended that everyone ask SCC for his or her current NRF report.

Mr. Seth Phelps asked was anyone else aware of the AG opinion given to DeKalb County regarding contracting with Municipal agencies to dispatch.  The opinion returned was that the ECD could not contract with the agencies for dispatch.  He notified his area Police Departments that they no longer are able to dispatch for them.  He recommended that everyone use the Website for more information on other AG opinions.  There was further discussion amongst the group as to how this effects ambulance dispatch or dispatch for other emergency agencies.

Mr. John Ellison suggested that we look at modifying the law for allowing the agencies and ECD to contract if both parties were in agreement.

Mr. Roger Wilson asked had any other agency had the problem with private drives having “vanity” street signs erected.  He expressed that they had several problems where a citizen bought a sign that resembled their County sign only to cause confusion in an emergency.  Several other agencies agreed that they too had the problem, but no action had been taken to date.

Mr. Bill Brodeur asked about sending public education videos out to the area media.  He suggested that it become a NENA project rather than the individual ECD having to handle the contact.  This was to include several different topics including posting addresses, wireless information, and general 9-1-1 education.  Mr. Roger Wilson was to review and report at the next meeting.

Ms. Pat Hall of Dothan requested promotional materials that were sponsored by ALNENA.  It was suggested that the Public Relations Committee be reconvened.  

Mr. Seth Phelps asked if anyone was interested in establishing a Southern Linc “group” for agencies in Alabama.  There was discussion regarding previous investigation and cost. 

There was discussion regarding the location of our April 2000 meeting.  Ms. Pat Hall offered to “host” the meeting in Montgomery as a part of the “APCO” Conference.  There was some discussion regarding time and location.  The meeting place was not designated.

The meeting was adjourned.

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