AAC F A M I L Y & F R I E N D S 911
side group should come in and bring all the stakeholders together to talk about reforming the system. One subject that should be studied and reviewed is how
many PSAPs are adequate for Arkansas. Tere are 132 PSAPs in Arkansas. Is that too many? Te County Judges Association of Arkansas voted earlier this year to support a bill that places a moratorium on new PSAPs. Tis is a bill the judges will propose in the upcoming session to coincide with a study of our 911 system. Technology is another issue. Te governor and the leg-
islature are always looking for ways to increase technology to improve inefficiencies and to save money. I can get on my phone right now, push a button and have an Uber car pick me up within a few minutes. I wouldn’t have to give my location and the driver would know exactly where I was from the technology on my smart phone. If Uber can find you that easily, then why can’t 911? People can argue that Uber is only in the highly populated areas of the state, and there isn’t a demand for it statewide. Tat’s a fair argument, but there is a high demand for 911 services statewide. If Uber can use this technology in downtown Little Rock why can’t 911 use something like this to better serve Arkansans all across the state. Next Generation 911 (NG911) is an Internet Protocol (IP)-based system that allows digital information (e.g., voice, photos, videos, text messages) to flow seamlessly from the public, through the 911 network, and on to emergency responders. Tis is technology that will improve commu- nication and save lives because of faster response times. Is Arkansas ready for this technology? Another topic the out-
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side consultant should look at is training for dispatchers. Te turnover rate for 911 dispatchers in Arkansas is one of the highest in the country. What can we do to minimize the turnover rate? Te news normally opens the show with “good evening,” and then tells you everything wrong with the world. In this day and time, law enforcement has to be perfect with every decision they make. Te media likes to point out when one law enforcement officer makes one mistake, and it’s mag- nified. 911 is far from perfect, but there are places in the state that come very close, and the rest of the state can learn from them. Citizens in Calhoun County deserve the same service as those in Benton County. Obviously the response time cannot be the same for all Arkansans because not ev- eryone is the same distance from a fire station or a hospital. One thing that should be consistent is the reaction time. When you pick up the phone and dial 911, the fire truck or the ambulance should leave its post around the same time whether you make the call from Benton County or Calhoun County. Going into the 91st General Assembly, every legislator has heard many wants and/or needs from multiple constit- uencies. So how does the legislature maneuver these needs and how important is 911? Many people believe public safety is the No. 1 job incumbent on our government. Tis legislature supports our men and women in uniform and the job they do to keep us safe each day. If you ask an offi- cer what is the most important tool they use, just about all of them say communication. Tat starts as soon as some- one dials those three digits.
Advertiser Resource Index
AAC Risk Management ...................................................................... 47 AAC Workers’ Compensation Trust .......................................................... 55 DataScout .................................................................. . Inside Front Cover Apprentice Information Systems, Inc. .......................................................... 14 Crews and Associates ........................................................................ 3 Custom Pavement Maintenance and Safety ...................................................... 8 Guardian RFID ............................................................................. 43 Ergon Asphalt & Paving ....................................................................... 4 Financial Intelligence ........................................................................ 28 Nationwide Insurance ....................................................................... 25 Rainwater Holt & Sexton, PA ......................................................... Back Cover Southern Tire Mart ......................................................................... 59 Tax Pro ................................................................................... 10
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COUNTY LINES, FALL 2016
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