NENA dispatch
Latest News
General Dynamics Information Technology

9-1-1 Goes to Washington (February 14-17) is an interactive forum where you learn about and discuss national 9-1-1 issues and advance those issues on Capitol Hill. This dynamic, hands-on program provides you with increased knowledge of 9-1-1 and homeland security legislative and regulatory topics, as well as critical information on the federal government process and how to work with federal policy makers. It is vital, now more than ever, that 9-1-1 professionals become active participants in the governmental process to advance the goals of our profession and industry. 

Top Five Reasons to Attend:

  1. Be a leader, not a spectator! Attending #NENAGTW is a great way to advocate for the national 9-1-1 agenda and let Congress hear the "Voice of 9-1-1."
  2. Hear from nationally elected members of Congress, the leadership of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, and federal policy leaders from the FCC, the National 911 Program Office, and other agencies. 
  3. Participate in informative panel sessions on the nation's pressing 9-1-1 regulatory and legislative issues and other federal government activities impacting emergency communications.
  4. Learn and share information on emerging 9-1-1 issues with national policy leaders and 9-1-1 professionals from across the country.
  5. March the halls of Congress with fellow 9-1-1 leaders to advance a national 9-1-1 agenda and promote pressing local and state issues from your area.
  6. **BONUS REASON** Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first-ever 9-1-1 call with us on the 16th! We've got a number of special activities and events in the works!
Click here to registerhere to book your hotel room at the host hotel and conference site, the Washington, D.C. Grand Hyatt, and here to visit the #NENAGTW homepage for a preliminary event schedule and additional information.
Through NENA's Gold Line Scholarship Program, we in the NENA family have the chance to give back and provide opportunities to our friends and colleagues who don't have access to vital training and professional development opportunities that benefit so many.
 
Over the past few years, because of the commitment of donors like you, NENA has been able to provide 25 scholarships. Maybe you've followed along on social media as we have shared some of their individual stories. This coming year, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of 9-1-1, we want to provide 50 scholarships, and we can't do it without your help.
To get there, we need to secure $50,000 in commitments by the end of the years. It may seem like a lot, but if each of us makes just a modest gift we can get there! During the next two weeks, as you balance time with your loved ones and with your other obligations, please find the time to make a year-end donation in support of the Gold Line Scholarship Fund.
 
Click here to make your gift and help or text NENA to 71777 for easy mobile donations.

We've sold out our host hotel! We've added rooms next door at the Hampton Inn, but they will be gone QUICKLY! Click here to book online now! 

With NENA’s NG9-1-1 Standards and Best Practices Conference (SBP) coming up in less than two months, we look forward to seeing you in Florida for an exciting and important event that not only advances critical NG9-1-1 operations and technical standards work, but also benefits you as a 9-1-1 professional, your agency or company, and the entire 9-1-1 industry.

At SBP, you will join with your emergency communications peers to discuss and address the issues, concerns, and challenges that face 9-1-1. You will share your ideas, insights, experiences, and expertise to shape the future of 9-1-1 and help make nationwide NG9-1-1 a reality. Only your involvement will carry us over the NG9-1-1 finish line.

Like few other industries, 9-1-1 is a community of constant evolution. At SBP you have the unique opportunity to bring new ideas, new issues, and new solutions into the standards development process. This is not just a conference — this is an experience. And that experience is better off with your participation. In short, we need your knowledge and input to make a great event and to make 9-1-1 all that it can and should be.

We’re excited for you to join us at SBP where you can grow professionally, help to make our industry better, and lead us into the next generation. Click here to register now! 

For the first time, NENA is included in the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), the official workplace-giving campaign for federal and military employees.

Federal employees can support NENA @ Combined Federal Campaign code #45316.

Now through January 12, federal employees and retirees can support education and training opportunities for members of our 9-1-1 community who wouldn’t otherwise have them. With the funds raised by tapping into this powerful network of more than 12 million federal employees, NENA will fund more scholarships and wellness programs for 9-1-1 professionals across the country.

Through the CFC, military service members, federal employees and retirees can make automated tax-deductible gifts with weekly, monthly, or bi-monthly payroll deductions.

Please share this news with your family members, friends, and colleagues, especially those who may be, or may know, federal employees. Please forward this news item, post it on a bulletin board, or help us spread the word on Facebook and Twitter.

To learn more about the CFC and how federal employees can participate, click here.

And thank you for your support!

Support NENA while you do your Amazon shopping this holiday season with AmazonSmile! It's a simple and automatic way for you to support NENA every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection, and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to NENA.

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to search for and select "National Emergency Number Association" to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation.

2018 marks the 50th anniversary of 9-1-1 and we’re gearing up for an exciting year full of celebration, new membership benefits, and continued leadership on the issues that matter the most to 9-1-1 professionals like you.

You should have recently received an email from NENA with a link to your 2018 NENA dues notice. Help NENA go green and save a stamp by choosing to pay online by check or credit card. If this is not an option for you or your agency, the email also contained a link allowing you to print out a copy of your invoice for local processing.

Instantly renew your membership online in just a few easy steps:   

  1. Simply log in to the NENA website. 
  2. Go to your Manage Profile page. 
  3. Click on Membership under the "Account History" header to view your renewal options.  
  4. Pay online by check or credit card. 
  5. Print out a receipt for your records.  

Don’t lose access to the latest industry updates, the best education and training, and vital connections to your peers across the 9-1-1 universe! We look forward to another great year of bringing you more than any other public safety association!

Life is expensive. NENA has partnered with LifeMart to help make everyday life a little more affordable and a lot more fun. You'll have access to national and local discounts from brands you know and love, all in one convenient location. And, as a NENA member, access is free!

You can access your discounts anywhere, anytime, on any device. It’s the fast and easy way to:

  • Save money on everything from computers to car rentals, gifts to groceries, electronics to entertainment and much more. 
  • Save time with instant, one-stop shopping—no need to run out to the store or search the web. 
  • Shop as often as you like: the more you shop, the more you save—no limit! 
  • Have fun discovering exclusive new deals on the brands you love—offers are updated regularly. 

 

 As a special bonus, when you sign up by December 31, you'll be entered in a drawing to win a $100 Amazon gift card!

Click here to learn more about NENA Member Discounts Powered by LifeMart and sign up today! 
NENA HQ will be closed from Dec 22 to Jan 2. During this time, the best way to reach staff with urgent requests is via email, although responses may be delayed. Please visit the staff page for contact info. Happy holidays!
Training Update
The three-day NENA Center Supervisor and CTO programs are two of the hottest and most in-demand courses offered by NENA! Contact Ty Wooten to book either (or both!) of these great classes for your center or region in 2018.

Interested in taking the ENP Examination next year? Plan now to participate in an upcoming ENP Study Group session! Study groups are led by subject matter experts and have proven to be a valuable resource to those preparing for the examination.

Florida's group starts January 9 and concludes March 20. This group meets on Tuesdays at 2 p.m. Eastern. Email Mark Whitby to sign up.

Mission Critical Partner's next session starts on January 29, and meets every Monday at 3 p.m. Eastern. Email louisalake@mcp911.com to register. 

Click here for info on these and other study groups.

NENA is issuing a challenge to each chapter to increase the number of ENPs in the state (or province) between now and this coming June! The two winning chapters will each receive one free ENP application (valued at $420) for either the Winter 2019 or Spring 2019 exam window. Here’s how it works:

  • Each newly certified ENP during the Fall '17, Winter '18, and Spring '18 exam periods will be counted toward the chapter total.
  • The chapter with the most new ENPs and the chapter that has the highest proportional increase in ENPs will each win. 
  • Winners will be announced at the NENA 2018 Conference & Expo in June. 
Now it's time to get out there and start promoting the ENP Certification Program! Good luck!

01.08.18 (5-day course) | Center Manager Certification Program | Livermore, CA | Register
01.10.18 | Liability in the 9-1-1 Center | Effingham, IL | Register
01.15.18 | Change Management | Orlando, FL @  #NENASBP | Register
01.15.18 (3-day course) |  9-1-1 Center Supervisor | Wheaton, IL | Register
01.22.18 (3-day course) | Center Training Officer Program | Charlotte, MI | Register
01.24.18 (3-day course) |  9-1-1 Center Supervisor | Tulsa, OK | Register
02.05.18 (3-day course) | 9-1-1 Center Supervisor | Lincoln, NE | Register
02.17.18 | You Could Have a Future Here | Washington, D.C. @ #NENAGTW | Register
02.26.18 (5-day course) | Center Manager Certification Program | Rochester, NY | Register

View the NENA Education Calendar to see additional upcoming classes!

Get your Cyber Benchmark!
SecuLore Solutions
Are your 911 centers talking with Russia, China, Iran? Are you aware of the internet devices connected to your systems? Whether preparing for NG911 or deployed already, you should have a yearly vulnerability assessment. SecuLore’s is tailored to public safety – applying FCC, DHS & NIST guidelines. Contact us.
www.SecuLore.com/contact
Advertisement
Document Announcements

The NENA Standard Data Formats for E9-1-1 Data Exchange & GIS Mapping standard sets forth NENA standard formats for Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data exchange between Service Providers and Data Base Management System Providers, a GIS data model, a Data Dictionary, and formats for data exchange between the ALI Database and PSAP Controller equipment. The reason for revising this document in 2017 is to add additional legacy Classes of Service (CoS), standardized use of Service Descriptions in the Customer Name/Service field, and specify the recommended CoS information in Section 19 and the recommended Service Descriptions in Section 20.

See the full document and click here for comment submission instructions. All comments are due by midnight Eastern, December 22, 2017. Contact the NENA Committee Resource Manager with any questions or concerns.

Having adjudicated all comments, the subject document is now considered "stable." Per NENA IPR, Section 4.5 a "Stable Form Notice" is being issued and can be seen by clicking below.
Unsurpassed Data Capture, Storage, and Analytics
HigherGround, Inc
HigherGround, Inc. provides best-in-class recording for critical communications in PSAP operations, emergency dispatch facilities and 9-1-1 centers. Our recording and incident reconstruction solutions transform data into actionable intelligence. HigherGround Delivers: • Customized solutions to meet specific needs and requirements • Certifications and seamless integrations with key technologies • Fully upgradable solutions that scale with your system • Quick and professional response from certified technicians • Secure multi-layer algorithms and encrypted data between client and server
Click here to learn more
Advertisement
Washington Briefing

SAFECOM and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Emergency Communications have released the SAFECOM Nationwide Survey (SNS). The survey will provide valuable insights on the current state of the nation’s emergency communications, and will be used to provide justification to advocate for more grant funding and capability improvements, develop additional training and other resources, and make more informed policy decisions. The SNS is an opportunity for your voice to be heard!

Take the survey now!

The NG9-1-1 Institute seeks nominations of the heroes and leaders that should be honored as part of the 2018 9-1-1 Honor Awards. Examples of heroism and leadership that occurred anytime between November 1, 2016 and December 31, 2017 will be considered for the awards presented at a reception in Washington, D.C. this coming February.  

Nominations may now be submitted for these six awards categories:

  • Citizen in Action
  • Government Leader 
  • 9-1-1 Public Safety Professional 
  • 9-1-1 Industry Professional 
  • Outstanding 9-1-1 Call Center/Program 
  • NG9-1-1 Awareness

Any person or group fitting the description is eligible to be nominated and anyone can nominate (including self-nomination). You DO NOT need to be a member of the NG9-1-1 Institute to nominate or to receive an award. 

Click here for more info and to submit your nomination by January 10!

Bandwidth 9-1-1 Dynamic Location Routing
Bandwidth
In today’s mobile world, 9-1-1 access can be complex and complicated. With Bandwidth’s Dynamic Location Routing, you can ensure that emergency services get there on time, every time—with nothing left to chance.
Click Here to Learn More
Advertisement
Featured Job Openings
Talari
Communications Technician l City of Dublin l Dublin, OH
911 Telecommunicator l San Marcos Police Department l San Marcos, TX
Communications Center Manager l University of Hawaii l Honolulu, HI
Public Safety Communications Operations Manager l City of Plano l Plano, TX

Visit the NENA Career Center to see other available jobs or post your opening today!

Job-Seeker Benefits
–Customizable alerts based on your skills and interests
Anonymous profile and résumé posting
Résumé critique services
Job search tools and tips
Employer Benefits
Find highly qualified applicants quickly and easily
Only receive applications from those who meet your criteria
Tools to manage your positions and view activity reports
Searchable database of résumés and profiles

The NENA Career Board is the best resource to recruit high-quality professionals in the 9-1-1 industry. Posting your open jobs on the NENA Career Board ensures you're getting exposure to the right candidates.

Not only does posting your open jobs on NENA Career Board get them in front of top professionals, but you could also see your posted jobs on Google for Jobs, Google’s most recent feature, placing quality jobs from niche job boards on the first page of a user’s job search results!

Are you having trouble finding the time to search through all of the available positions on the NENA Career Board? Make sure the perfect opportunity doesn’t pass you by. Create a personal job alert and new jobs that match your search criteria will be emailed directly to you. You can also have your resume evaluated for FREE. Upload your resume to the NENA Job Board and find out how!
Telecommunicator Corner
Did you know that NENA has a great way to recognize telecommunicators who have gone above and beyond? It’s called the TC Spotlight! If you know of a TC that has done an exceptional job while handling a call, is devoted to his or her career, is a mentor to others, a great cheerleader for your agency, or just plain rocks, then we would like to help celebrate them! Share their awesome talents with the rest of the world by sending an email to tccaucus@nena.org and letting us know the nominee's name, years of service, current agency and position, and why he or she is being nominated.