NENA Membership Meeting & Proposed Bylaws Amendment

In accordance with NENA's bylaws, the annual Membership Meeting will be held at NENA 2014 in Nashville, TN, on Sunday, June 15, 2014 from 4:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. At the meeting, reports on the activities and financial condition of the association will be filed, and voting will take place on a proposed amendment to the association's bylaws. The quorum for the annual meeting shall be the voting-eligible members present. Each voting member shall be entitled to one vote on business brought before the assembly at the annual conference, and proxy voting will not be allowed.

 

Wednesday or On-Demand: 9-1-1 Customer Service Webinar

Customer Service: Takes Seconds, Saves Minutes
Wednesday, April 30 | 3 p.m. Eastern (live) or On-Demand
$50 (NENA Members) | $85 (Non-Members)
Click here to register!

This webinar is for all public safety communications employees, from telecommunicator to director. The training explains why customer service is necessary and serves as a guide to improve the individual telecommunicator’s customer service, as well as the center's as a whole. It focuses on our customers: the citizens, public safety responders and our coworkers. Helpful tips will be shared, including strategies for internal changes that can be made to positively affect customer service performance. Get the team together for this hour-long interactive presentation where you will:

• Understand the importance of customer service and how it determines our overall performance
• Learn a two-step process of writing and implementing a customer service policy
• Gain a toolbox of tips and guidelines to improve customer service performance

Can't attend on the 30th? Register now and receive on-demand access to the webinar archive.

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

 

Learn, Connect, Grow & Discover at NENA 2014!

Looking for details on the emergency communication industry's premier annual event, taking place June 14-19 in Nashville, TN? Look no further! The full NENA 2014 brochure is now available! View the virtual brochure or download and print a copy for keynote speaker info, a current exhibitor roster, abstracts for education and training sessions, pre-conference course and workshop descriptions, and more! 


And don’t forget: Every full-conference registration includes unlimited online, on-demand access to more than 90 hours of audio recordings and synchronized slide presentations from every education session at NENA 2014!

Click here to register for NENA 2014 online or here to download a paper form. Visit the NENA 2014 webpage for full conference details!

Please note: If you submitted to present at NENA 2014, you were sent a notification regarding your submission status on March 28. We have had reports from some that this message may have been marked as spam. Click here to email us if you need to to inquire about your session proposal.

 

Friends of 9-1-1 Scholarship Applications Due April 30

Emergency call takers have a new opportunity for education and professional development as the Friends of 9-1-1 initiative announces the availability of Telecommunicator Continuing Education Scholarships. Applications for the program are being accepted through April 30 and are open to any 9-1-1 call taker (or equivalent non-supervisory or non-management position) with at least one year of experience and in good standing with his or her employer.

The scholarships are the first to be made available through Friends of 9-1-1. Each Telecommunicator Continuing Education Scholarship recipient will receive:

• Complimentary registration to the NENA 2014 Conference & Expo, a savings of $829;
• Complimentary registration for a one-day, pre-conference course of choice at NENA 2014, an additional savings of $275; and
• A $500 travel stipend.

Interested applicants can click here to learn more and to apply online. To show your support for the 9-1-1 community and become a Friend of 9-1-1, visit here.

 

Articles Wanted for Publication in "The Call"

The NENA Publications Committee has issued an open call for submissions for publication consideration for the Summer 2014 edition of NENA's official magazine, The Call. Articles on any 9-1-1/public safety operations or technology topic will be considered. Manuscripts should not exceed 20 double-spaced pages and should follow current American Psychological Association (APA) style. Further instructions for authors can be found by clicking here. Manuscripts may be submitted electronically; send the document as an email attachment to NENA Communications Director Chris Nussman for consideration by May 21, 2014. 

 

2014 McMurray Scholarship Recipient Announced

Kelli Brian of Vigo County Central Dispatch in Terre Haute, IN, has been selected as the 2014  William M. McMurray, ENP Scholarship recipient. 

Congratulations, Kelli! We look forward to seeing you at  NENA 2014! 

 

Plan Now to Attend Upcoming NENA Training Programs

Looking to get more out of your career? Want to stay on top of the latest in emergency communications? Need continuing education credits? NENA’s education program has just what you are looking for! We've already scheduled dozens of educational opportunities for you in 2014 and are adding more to the calendar every day! Upcoming offerings include:

• NENA Center Manager Certification Program in Washington State
• Change Management in 9-1-1 in Lansing, MI
  

Our courses and certification programs, developed and led by experts in the field, provide relevant, informative and up-to-date training on all aspects of 9-1-1 technology and PSAP operations. Check out the current list of classes toward the end of this email or view it online. Contact Ty Wooten if you would like to book a class in your area, or if you have any questions.

And don't forget to like our new NENA Education & Training Facebook page for the latest news and announcements!

 

Sign Up for the First Annual "Run for 9-1-1!"

On the morning of Saturday, June 14, kick off your NENA 2014 experience by lacing up your running or walking shoes and participating in the Friends of 9-1-1 first-ever "Run for 9-1-1" charity 5k!
 
The run/walk promotes healthy living among 9-1-1 professionals, gives the Nashville community and supporters from around the country a chance to say "thank you" to 9-1-1, and generates funds for scholarships and 9-1-1 training opportunities.
 
When: Saturday, June 14, 2014 at 7 a.m.

Start Location: Bridgestone Arena, 5th and Broadway

Route Includes: Bridgestone Arena, Music City Center, Midtown and Music Row

Registration Fees:

• $30 now-5/2/2014
• $35 5/3-6/13/2014
• $40 Race Day
• $100 for a team of five

Awards: Every participant will receive a complimentary T-shirt and medal for completion, grand prizes for Top 3 finishers, male and female, and giveaways for all!

Sign up for the race today! Registration is available for both individual and teams! Sign up as a chapter, an agency/company, a committee or just as friends! Participating as a group can make the event even more fun, and teams save on registration fees! 

Can’t join the run/walk but still want to participate? Join the race virtually by becoming a Friend of 9-1-1 Fundraiser!

Learn more about the Friends of 9-1-1 program at www.friendsof911.org.

 

National 911 Program Presents NG9-1-1 Webinar Event May 7

State and local 9-1-1 professionals, federal agency representatives and other 9-1-1 stakeholders will participate in a "State of 911" webinar discussion, presented by the National 911 Program, Wednesday, May 7 from noon-1 p.m. Eastern Time.

This webinar, the ninth in a bimonthly series, will feature a discussion by the Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Emergency Communications (OEC) on NG9-1-1 cybersecurity, risk analysis and mitigation strategies, a presentation on 9-1-1 funding by the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, and open Q&A sessions.

OEC Technology Policy Strategist Alex Kreilein will focus on cybersecurity, OEC’S current risk analysis work and what PSAPs can do to mitigate risks.

Also presenting and available for questions will be Lynn Questell, executive director of the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board, who will present on the consideration of a proposed 9-1-1 funding model that seeks to ensure funding keeps in sync with constantly evolving technology.

To register for the webinar, Wednesday, May 7 from noon-1 p.m. Eastern Time, please click here.

 

New ENP Study Group Forming

The FL NENA Education Committee will be hosting an ENP Study group beginning April 29, 2014. Email Laurene Anderson to register. Click here for more information.

 

Not Receiving NENA Mail?

Make sure the addresses (email and postal) that we have on file for you are current! Please log in to your online member account to verify or update your information, or send an email to Bri Robinson.

 

"In Memoriam" Submissions Due May 15

Each year at the association's Annual Conference, NENA honors those 9-1-1 professionals and members of the NENA family who have passed during the previous year. If you would like someone included in the "In Memoriam" tribute video, please contact Southeastern Region Director Linda Draughn-Woloski.

 

New Text-to-9-1-1 Resource Available: Media Tips

The NENA NG9-1-1 Education and Training working group has prepared a few talking points related to text-to-9-1-1 in order to ensure that the 9-1-1 community provides a consistent message nationwide. If contacted by the media related to text-to-9-1-1, below are talking points that may be used. These messages can be incorporated into a news release or educational materials.

Click here to visit the text-to-9-1-1 resources page, where you will find the Media Tips document, along with other valuable text-to-9-1-1 documents, including the Information and Planning Guide, training documents and more.

 

NG9-1-1 RFP Work Group Now Forming

In preparing for NG9-1-1 technology, as well as planning for routine replacement of PSAP premise equipment that is reaching the end of its service life, 9-1-1 administrators need to develop well-written Request for Proposals (RFPs) that clearly define requirements and expectations for any proposed systems. However, the process of defining minimum baseline functionality, desired features and expected deliverables in order to ensure a successful system implementation can be quite frustrating for the PSAP administrator, as well as the responding prospective vendors. The anticipated product of this work group will be an informational document for PSAP administrators that will assist them with the essential elements and best practices of RFP documents, as well as a sample boiler plate template to help successfully identify and document requirements for procurement of PSAP equipment. Members of both the PSAP and vendor community are encouraged to participate in this work group. If you would like to volunteer for this NENA Work Group, please complete the Join this Work Group form associated with the Request for Proposal (RFP) Work Group. Any specific questions may be directed to Lisa Dodson.

 

Participants Sought for Public Safety/Railroad Interaction Standard Operating Procedure Working Group

Project Need:
PSAPs may receive emergency calls from railroad call centers, railroad-sworn personnel or similar parties related to railroad incidents. PSAPs must interact with railroad call centers when the PSAP becomes aware of an incident requiring emergency assistance involving a railroad.

Stakeholders:
Public Safety Authorities, PSAPs, Railroad Call Center management and personnel, Federal Railroad Administration, railroad field responders, Emergency First Responders

Scope:
It is of benefit to both railroad and PSAP personnel to have standardized national recommendations and procedures, ensuring a quick and accurate information exchange. The NENA railroad and PSAP working group (WG) will provide information and guidance for updating of NENA 56-507 Railroad Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) Interaction document. The WG shall provide updated information and guidance for operational interaction between PSAPs, railroad call centers, railroad-sworn personnel in the field and related railroad responders.

Interested parties should send an email to DSC-leadership@dev.nena.org.

 

NENA NG9-1-1 Data Management Standard Available for Public Review & Comment

NENA's Next Generation 9-1-1 Data Management Standard defines discrepancy and performance reports associated with processes within the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) system. The intent of the document is to provide 9-1-1 authorities, vendors, Communications Services Providers and other interested parties with guidelines for communicating issues or status of various elements within the system.

The standard is now available for a 15 Business Day Public Review and Comment Period ending on May 9, 2014, at 5 p.m. ET. Comments can be submitted by clicking here  and then selecting "Add a Comment" just above the title "Document Details." Please complete all requested data and "Save," or, if submitting multiple comments, select "Save and Add Another."

You may contact the NENA Committee Resource Manager with any questions or concerns with submitting your comments.

 

Volunteers Sought for ESIND Work Group

 

"Heartbleed" OpenSSL Vulnerability Information

The National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center (NCCIC) at DHS has issued this public advisory on this vulnerability with some basic guidance.

 

National 911 Program Provides Additional Information for Efforts to Fund 9-1-1's Future

Funding 9-1-1 services is a challenge for 9-1-1 boards, authorities and PSAPS nationwide. As the public’s use of technology evolves and 9-1-1 systems prepare for the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1, traditional funding methods may be insufficient to meet the needs of the public, first responders and 9-1-1 systems across the country.
 
Recently, the National 911 Program announced the release of the "Blue Ribbon Panel on 9-1-1 Funding:" A Report to the National 911 Program, one more step in addressing the future of 9-1-1 funding options, bringing input from experts in finance, economics, critical infrastructure and public safety funding to this important topic.  
 
This report is a result of the recommendation by the Federal Communication Commission’s advisory group, the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) that "the FCC should encourage the National 911 Program to convene a Blue Ribbon Panel as soon as possible to address the 9-1-1 funding issues and make recommendations for funding construction and maintenance of NG9-1-1 systems."

Click here to learn more and read the report. 

 

Get the Emergency Communications News That Really Matters with Public Safety SmartBrief

NENA recently launched a FREE email news service called Public Safety SmartBrief. It provides a weekly summary of news, trends and updates on public safety issues – not just 9-1-1, but police, fire and EMS. Knowledgeable editors handpick key articles from hundreds of publications, summarize them and provide direct links to the original sources.

 

Enhanced Career Center Now Available

 

Save the Dates...

06.14-19.14 | NENA 2014 Conference & Expo | Nashville, TN

10.05-08.14 | NENA Development Conference | Orlando, FL

10.04-07.15 | NENA Development Conference | Austin, TX

10.02-05.16 | NENA Development Conference | Austin, TX

 

04.30.14 - Webinar Wednesday - Customer Service - Online Live or On-Demand - Register Here!

04.29.14 - Caught in the Middle: A Guide to Middle Management - Orlando, FL (IAED Navigator)

05.12-16.14 - Center Manager Certification Program - Seattle, WA - Register Here!

05.14.14 - From Ostrich to Eagle: Improving the PSAP Work Culture - Virginia Beach, VA (VA NENA Conference)

05.18.14 - Change Management in 9-1-1 - Lansing, MI - Register Here!

06.11-15.14 - Center Manager Certification Program - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)
06.14.14 - Training the 9-1-1 Trainer - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.14.14 - Supervisory Development: A Guide to Moving Ahead in Your Career - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.14-15.14 - SOP SOS - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.14.14 - Interpersonal Skills - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.15.14 - Liability Issues in the 9-1-1 Center - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.15.14 - Comm Center Staffing Workshop - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.15.14 - Caught in the Middle: A Guide to Middle Management - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.15.14 - Developing a Quality Assurance Program from Call to End of Incident - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

06.15.14 - Understanding Databases in NG9-1-1 - Nashville, TN (NENA 2014)

08.13.14 - Overcoming Negativity in the Comm Center - Salt Lake City, UT (NENA Education Summit)

08.14.14 - Caught in the Middle: A Guide to Middle Management - Salt Lake City, UT (NENA Education Summit)

08.15.14 - Customer Service for 9-1-1 Professionals - Salt Lake City, UT (NENA Education Summit)

09.05.14 - Customer Service for 9-1-1 Professionals - Sacramento, CA (NENA Education Summit)

09.06.14 - Developing a Quality Assurance Program from Call to End of Incident - Sacramento, CA (NENA Education Summit)

09.07.14 - Caught in the Middle: A Guide to Middle Management - Sacramento, CA (NENA Education Summit)

09.15-19.14 - Center Manager Certification Program - Waterbury, CT

Questions? Want to bring a course directly to you? 
Visit our Host a Course page to find out how you can bring it directly to you. You can also contact NENA's Education & Operational Issues Director, Ty Wooten, for additional information.