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NENA is working closely with OMB to get them to revise their preliminary decision not to reclassify telecommunicators under the "Protective Services" category. Check out this short video from NENA's CEO Brian Fontes about what we're doing and what you can do to assist in the effort. Please note the need for data-driven information. Only by providing OMB with facts and statistics about the profession and how you do your job will they consider the reclassification request. If you're going to file, please be sure to include evidence of: 

  • Protocols used
  • Training/licensure requirements
  • Field/TERT work
  • Chain-of-command (where integrated with LE/Fire/EMS)
  • Scope of authority over field responders
  • How the work has changed over time
  • Health impacts
  • Occasions where a lack of data about the profession has been detrimental (to anything)
Contact NENA's Government Affairs Director, Trey Forgety, if you have any questions or comments.

 

9-1-1 professionals were severely impacted during the recent flooding disaster in Louisiana, including several who lost their homes. A number of members have reached out to NENA to ask how they can help. The local chapter has informed us that those who wish to send aid can do so in the form of gift cards (generic-use cards like Visa and AmEx are preferred, but store-specific cards are greatly appreciated as well). You can send them to:

Linda Lavergne
Lafayette Parish Communication District
P.O. Box 82236
Lafayette, LA 70598

Congratulations to the 36 9-1-1 professionals who passed the summer 2016 ENP exam and are now certified Emergency Number Professionals! Well done! For more information on how you too can achieve this prestigious professional designation, visit the ENP webpage
The 9-1-1 Standards & Best Practices Conference
October 9–12, 2016 | Hilton Columbus Downtown | Columbus, OH
Register | Book your room | Brochure | ***NEW SESSION DETAILS***Learn more

An interactive, informative, attendee-driven event focused on improving PSAP performance and shaping the future of 9-1-1 systems

 Featuring a combination of educational, working and envisioning sessions, attendees will spend three days learning about how agencies and service providers can use standards to create high-performing 9-1-1 environments; engaging with peers to initiate new projects and continue ongoing work; and identifying areas where NENA should focus future efforts. 

During Standards & Best Practices 101 sessions, attendees learn how all sides of the 9-1-1 community put NENA standards to work every day. The takeaway: Lessons and strategies you can use to get better results, right away.
 
Hands-On sessions are where the rubber meets the road! Attendees collaborate to develop the standards and documents that guide and inform the way 9-1-1 works. 
 
In Thought Lab sessions attendees discuss, debate, and dream about the future of 9-1-1... and then take action! Learn what steps you can take to support where we are going and help ensure that we are able to meet the challenges of tomorrow.

NENA Critical Issues Forum 
October 12–13, 2016 | Hilton Columbus Downtown | Columbus, OH
Register | Book your room | Brochure | ***NEW SESSION DETAILS*** (NG | Cyber) | Learn more

An in-depth examination and discussion of two of the hottest topics in 9-1-1, focused on charting 9-1-1’s path forward

CIF Focus Area: Cybersecurity & Resiliency
Few subjects raise as many questions or fears as the security challenges inherent in our connected world and how they can impact 9-1-1 systems and PSAPs. Today’s 9-1-1 professionals must be aware of – and have strategies to manage – threats that were unimaginable just a few short years ago.

From SWATting to Denial of Service Attacks, from foreign surveillance of critical systems to the real possibility of a sustained impact to our nation’s power grid, the importance of addressing these issues and maintaining uninterrupted PSAP operations is undeniable. Attend the CIF to learn about and address these topics that should be on the minds of everyone in 9-1-1.

CIF Focus Area: Leading & Managing the NG9-1-1 PSAP
Implementing new technologies, managing increasingly strained budgets, and addressing the staffing needs that impact many of the nation’s PSAPs are just a few of the significant challenges faced by those who manage 9-1-1 centers. Tack on things like video-to-9-1-1, new data sources, and consolidation, and it’s starting to seem like a whole new world for PSAP personnel.

This track of NENA’s CIF focuses on how to address these issues and provides attendees with the techniques and strategies they need to manage the challenges to come. In these interactive and informative sessions, attendees will collaborate on the way forward for 9-1-1 in the face of the new technologies, systems, and operational realities that we must turn from challenges into opportunities.

Summer isn't over yet! Get ready for your Labor Day BBQ and be the most stylish grillmaster around with our 9-1-1 apron! Also works great indoors when you're making apple pie. It's on sale for 30% off - only $14 - until September 9th!

Click here to order yours today and here to check out the rest of the NENA store!

Training Update
The Keys to Developing & Delivering Effective Performance Appraisals
Wednesday, August 31 | 3PM Eastern (live) or On-Demand
$50 for NENA Members | $85 for Non-Members

Click here to register!

Effective performance appraisals can elevate an agency and ensure objectives are being met. This one-hour webinar covers the evaluation instrument that can be used to review employees, tips and recommendations to ensure fair and consistent performance appraisals, and methods for delivering both positive and negative feedback. In addition, attendees will learn strategies that resolve common complaints and issues, including:

  • We don’t have enough time to write performance appraisals;
  • Everyone has varying styles and evaluating tendencies;
  • Often we raise or lower evaluation ratings without proper documentation; and
  • Because appraisals are not tied to their pay, our staff thinks they are meaningless.

CEUs: Attend this webinar and receive one-half ENP re-certification point towards the ten-point maximum for NENA courses in the Professional Development CEU/Course Credits section.

Can't attend on the 31st? Register now and you will receive an email after the live presentation with instructions for accessing the on-demand webinar archive.

Webinar Access Info
Dial-in and web-access details will be provided to attendees via email the week of the webinar.

Why ESInet? Why Now?
Sponsored by AT&T
Wednesday, September 21 | 1PM Eastern (live) or On-Demand
FREE! Click here to register!

PSAPs today are preparing for or implementing Emergency Services Internet Protocol Networks (ESInets). Many see ESInet as fundamental building blocks of Next Generation 9-1-1 and future integration with FirstNet. ESInet systems are broadband networks enabling secure, reliable transmission of 9-1-1 calls, text, multimedia, etc. that can enable sharing of emergency data between PSAPs. Given funding constraints, there’s an increasing acceptance and shift toward collaboration of PSAP resources and data sharing. PSAPs migrating into this new environment must consider new security policies, processes, training and connectivity guidelines. Learn how ESInets can benefit your agency and determine if the time is right.

Speaker: Mark Titus, Lead Product Marketing Manager, AT&T Public Safety

CEUs: Attend this webinar and receive one-half ENP re-certification point towards the six-point maximum for non-NENA courses in the Professional Development CEU/Course Credits section.

Can't attend on the 21st? Register now and you will have access to the on-demand webinar archive via the registration landing page.

Webinar Access Info
Dial-in and web-access details will be provided to attendees via email automatically upon registration.

The views expressed during this webinar are those of the sponsor and not necessarily those of NENA. NENA does not endorse any proprietary product or solution. Contact Sean Sullivan for more information on how your company can participate in NENA’s sponsored webinar program.
  
October 10–12, 2016 | Hilton Columbus Downtown | Columbus, OH
Register | Book your room | Learn more
Attend three days of industry-best training courses for 9-1-1 professionals!

The new Center Training Officer Program provides you with the proper framework to train your new employees, which leads to better performance and higher retention rates. 
 
9-1-1 Customer Service discusses and demonstrates customer service methods that save minutes by creating an environment of efficiency between the caller, the call taker, and responders. 
 
Liability Issues provides practical suggestions on limiting PSAP personnel and 9-1-1 center liability.
 
Disability Awareness Training gives attendees a greater understanding of the challenges faced by the disabled community, call processing techniques, and more.
 
Visit nena.org/nes-columbus to learn more and register.

09.12–16 — Center Manager Certification Program | Milpitas, CA | Register here!

09.18–20 — 9-1-1 Center Supervisor | TENA Conference | Chattanooga, TN | Register here!

09.20 — 9-1-1 Center Supervisor | Hartford, CT | Register here! 

09.20 — 9-1-1 Customer Service: Takes Seconds, Saves Minutes | Hartford, CT | Register here!

09.21 — Liability in the 9-1-1 Center | Hartford, CT | Register here!

09.22 — Leadership in the 9-1-1 Center | Hartford, CT | Register here!

09.26–30 — Center Manager Certification Program | Cookeville, TN | Register here!

Document Announcements

NENA PSAP Survivability Information Document, NENA-INF-020.2-201X (DRAFT) is available for Public Review and Comment.This document is provided to assist Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with the development of a PSAP survivability program. This PSAP survivability document is meant to be used in conjunction with other Contingency Planning Documents to assist the PSAP to better prepare for and react to a disaster situation with the end goal being that the PSAP remains operational. Every PSAP is unique and this document should be used as a starting point in disaster recovery planning. See the full document and its Executive Summary for further details.

Click here for instructions on how to submit your comments.

All comments are due by midnight Eastern on September 30, 2016.You may contact the NENA Committee Resource Manager with any questions or concerns.

Washington Briefing

In support of the goal to improve emergency communications for our nation's citizens, the National 911 Program has released a Request for Information (RFI) to gather input about the establishment of a nationally uniform data system to document PSAP call data and data related to the operation of local and state 9-1-1 systems.  

A nationally uniform 9-1-1 data system, once developed, would provide essential information to assist strategic planning, governance decisions, and improvements to the 9-1-1 system and its operations at all levels of government. These data would also be useful to private sector companies providing services to local and state 9-1-1 agencies. 

Click here to learn more and submit your comments by September 28th.
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