AAC


First, the state of Arkansas has to bring 9-1-1 infrastructure into the 21st century. Tis will be done by transitioning from the copper wire legacy system to an IP based NG911 system. 9-1-1 in Arkansas has to be able to adapt to new technology that runs off an IP based system. Most of the equipment used for 9-1-1 is already NG911 compatible but doesn’t have the infrastructure to connect to. Second, every state that has implemented NG911 has had some entity leading the implementation. Tis could be a state agency or a statewide 9-1-1 board with authority to assist PSAPs in 9-1-1 reform. Te board is paramount for many rea- sons, including applying for federal grants. Recently, Arkansas lost out on federal dollars because of the lack of 9-1-1 leadership and coordination that a board would provide. Tird, consolida- tion is an important piece of 9-1-1 transformation. Arkansas has too many PSAPs compared to other states, and funding over a hundred PSAPs is inefficient and not sustainable. Consolida- tion has to happen for safety reasons as well. Transferring 911 calls from one PSAP to another takes away precious time that could be used getting the caller the help they need. Te final pillar is funding. 9-1-1 has lacked funding since the evolution of mobile devices. Counties and cities are supplementing $25 million a year for 9-1-1. Tis is money that comes from the general fund that is needed for everyday operations mandated by the state. Te user fee in Arkansas is one of the lowest in the country and should be increased to provide consistent services across the state.


Spreading the Word


With the plan finalized, the time came to discuss and share information with state and local leaders. Te Arkansas State 9-1-1 Plan was first introduced to the legislature in the Joint Committee on Advanced Communications and Information Technology. By the end of the committee meeting the legisla- tors had many questions but were generally accepting that 9-1-1 needs an upgrade and that counties need more money to oper- ate. Shortly after, on June 7, 2018, the County Judges of Arkan- sas Association (CJAA) passed a resolution in support of 9-1-1 reform. Te judges voted unanimously to give their full support for 9-1-1 legislation, which would accomplish this. During the annual AAC conference in Rogers last summer, the House and Senate City, County, and Local Affairs Committees met togeth- er for a joint meeting. Once again the plan was introduced, and we articulated the issues local jurisdictions are having with 9-1-1 funding and outlined solutions for making 9-1-1 more efficient and more reliable. A timeline of events has occurred since. On Sept. 5, 2018, a handful of county judges met with Gov. Asa Hutchinson and First Lady Susan Hutchinson at the Governor’s mansion. Te Judges conveyed the same problems and concerns with 9-1-1 to the Governor as they did with legislators. Troughout this process, word began to spread that the AAC was working on


COUNTY LINES, FALL 2018


GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS


legislation for 9-1-1 reform and informing our local leaders on the problem. Many local 9-1-1 boards and 9-1-1 telecom- municators wanted us to visit their PSAP and discuss the fu- ture of 9-1-1. In one case, Lonoke County Judge Doug Erwin invited us to meet with the Lonoke County 9-1-1 Board on Sept. 6, 2018. Te board discussed the viability of consoli- dating the six PSAPs serving Lonoke County. After present- ing the CJAA’s resolution, Cabot Mayor Bill Sybert, unsolic- ited, made a motion to support the resolution and the board passed it unanimously. On Sept. 24, 2018, after visiting with the sheriffs about 9-1-1 problems and the route the judges wanted to take, the Arkansas Sheriffs Association (ASA) also voted unanimously to adopt a resolution in support of 9-1-1 reformation. A few days later, Greene County Judge Rusty McMillon, ADEM Director A.J. Gary, and I had the oppor- tunity to attend the Arkansas Association of Chiefs of Police conference to discuss the plan and the positive impact it would have on all law enforcement. After meeting with many profes- sional stakeholders and hearing many failures of the current 9-1-1 system, one thing we can all agree on is 9-1-1 is in need of a total transformation. Te Joint City, County, and Local Committee invited ADEM, Emergency Telephone Services Board (ETSB), Ar- kansas Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and the AAC to present the 9-1-1 transformation plan. On Oct. 11, 2018, ADEM Director A.J. Gary, Greene County Judge Rusty Mc- Millon, ETSB Administrator Renee Hoover, State GIS Of- ficer Shelby Johnson, Saline County Sheriff Rodney Wright, and myself testified on the need for 9-1-1 reform. Te com- mittee generally agreed 9-1-1 needs to be converted to Next Generation 9-1-1. Te legislators also liked the idea of a state board coordinating the implementation. Most of the debate came from the consolidation and funding portions of the plan. Every member of the committee concurred that over 100 PSAPs are too many. But what is the correct amount? ADEM Director Gary said we could reduce the number of PSAPs to one per county with a few exceptions. We even told the committee that there are a few Arkansas counties work- ing on consolidation plans. Since the first committee meeting, many legislators have


expressed interest in 9-1-1 transformation. Tey are asking more questions and wanting to learn more about the details involved in the reform. We have been to a total of five legis- lative committee meetings to present the plan and to answer questions. Sometimes what gets lost in all the technical as- pects of 9-1-1 is what we are really trying to accomplish. Te CJAA and ASA, as well as many other stakeholders groups, are striving for effective emergency communications all Ar- kansans can be confident in. Arkansas must accelerate its move toward NG911, deliver these essential services equita- bly across the state, and assure effective coordination with all


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