AAC
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
This graphic shows how a 9-1-1 call is routed through the system. Source: Based on GAO analysis of public safety industry documents. GAO-18252 Where we stand with 9-1-1 reform Story by Josh CURTIS
AAC Governmental Affairs Director &
Blake Gary AAC Law Clerk
solutions to move toward Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911). Te article highlighted many deficiencies the current system faces. For example, in 2015, the 65-cent user fee levied on cell phones each month generated $18,957,120.76, and the rev- enue generated from wireline phones totaled $7,390,852.52. While this sounds like a lot of money, the counties and cities had to supplement an additional $20,821,055.76 to provide minimal 9-1-1 services. During the 2017 legislative session, two bills were passed re-
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garding Arkansas’ 9-1-1 systems. First, a moratorium on pub- lic safety answering points (PSAPs) was passed to restrict the creation of any new PSAPs until July 1, 2020. Second, the leg- islature enacted Act 785, which appropriated $200,000 to the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management (ADEM). Special language was included in the Act to give ADEM the authority to accept funds from non-state entities for expenses
wo years ago, County Lines magazine published an article on the current environment of Ar- kansas’s 9-1-1 system and the need to perform a study that outlines the inefficiencies and provide
of evaluating and studying 9-1-1 and emergency communica- tion. Te Association of Arkansas Counties (AAC) and Ar- kansas Municipal League(ARML) were prepared to allocate $50,000 for the purpose of conducting a study on Arkansas’ 9-1-1 system. However, ADEM Director A.J. Gary was able to touch base with the Office of Emergency Communications (OEC), a sub-department of the Department of Homeland Security, to come to Arkansas and conduct a professional study for free. On Nov. 13-14, 2017, a group of 911 stakeholders consist- ing of a county judge, a city manager, law enforcement, 911 telecommunicators, Office of Emergency Management direc- tors, ADEM, and AAC met at ADEM for a two-day workshop with the OEC consultants. Te idea of the workshop was to discuss current 9-1-1 problems in Arkansas and develop an Arkansas State 9-1-1 plan containing solutions to make the system more efficient. During this workshop, the stakeholders developed a series of goals to accomplish throughout the fol- lowing months to find efficiencies and, most importantly, find a way for Arkansas to get to the next generation technology (NG911). From November to April of 2017, the stakeholders held bimonthly conference calls to keep everyone updated on the progress made and continued to receive input for the Ar- kansas State 9-1-1 plan. Finally, on April 16, 2017, the stake- holders met again at ADEM to finalize the plan. Te plan includes four main pillars for 9-1-1 transformation.
COUNTY LINES, FALL 2018
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