PA APCO member wins
AFC Advisor Award
Fred Rosencrans was named the 2007 AFC Most Improved Advisor at the APCO International Conference. Fred is part of a network of Local Frequency Advisors throughout the United States. Local Advisors are APCO members who, on a volunteer basis, perform the technical analysis for the coordination process.
Congratulations Fred!
APCO International President Willis Carter addresses
Non-reimbursable Rebanding Costs with the FCC
A Message from our PA Frequency Coordinators There are many complex issues that plague the public
safety communications spectrum today. There is a much greater demand for
frequencies, the spectrum is congested, there is an increased use in wireless
systems and the job of frequency coordination is becoming much more complex. We will do our best, as Pennsylvania frequency
advisors, to obtain the frequencies requested by our applicants while protecting
the licensed public safety frequency holders throughout Pennsylvania. All of the above information sparks the critical question
of when re-farming the spectrum will take place to alleviate some of the
congestion. Thanks in advance, Fred J. Rosencrans How to Contact Fred or John: Fred Rosencrans, PA State Frequency Coordinator John Ankenbrand, PA State Frequency Coordinator Hi Everyone, I was pleased with the amount of
information in a consumer reports article at the URL given
below on VoIP. It gives a very good explanation of what is
happening with VoIP telephones and the pros and cons of the
service along with price comparisons and references. I know
we are still working on receiving data from wireless 9-1-1
phone calls via cellular telephones at many locations
throughout the US and still have not worked out legislation
on obtaining locations from MLTS/PBX systems, but VoIP is
coming full speed ahead and is definitely something that
must be considered sooner than later. NENA is working on
what they call I2 and I3 architecture to help guide
development in a direction that will provide 9-1-1 PSAP's
with telephone number and location data, but there is a
large difference in the way it will occur compared to the
way we receive 9-1-1 telephone calls today and implementing
a standard by NENA is a far cry from getting the 9-1-1 and
VoIP industry to accept and follow it versus legislation
requiring it. Here is the URL for the consumer reports
article: You may also want to look at the website
set up by the FCC to provide VoIP information at: You may want to also take a look at the
NENA webpage on VoIP at: Although NENA claims to be an independent
organization representing 9-1-1 there is a relationship
between NENA and Intrado that seems to be in the the vested
interest category and I wonder how long the appearance of
independence can be maintained by NENA. I belong to both
NENA and APCO and I can't say that APCO does much better in
the independent category, although I do agree with APCO's
stance on testing accuracy of wireless telephones. The problem is, the NENA/Intrado
relationship at the present time, seems to be one of the few
organizational efforts actually working on delivering
call-back number and location from VoIP customers.
The VoIP providers, even though they claim
to be working on delivering call-back number and location
information to PSAP's, from my viewpoint, are not doing so
well in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania as evidenced by a
number of VoIP calls that we have received lately with no
information or that go to a private answering service
contracted by the VoIP providers which adds an unknown
amount of time to the length of time before a VoIP 9-1-1
call actually reaches the point where the person calling can
receive help, or in other cases the VoIP call is received by
other PSAP's arbitrarily picked by the VoIP provider in
another state which again adds additional time until that
PSAP can figure out where in the heck the call should
actually go and deliver the call information to the correct
PSAP. I am frustrated by the lack of cooperation
that we have been receiving from the various VoIP providers
involved in these 9-1-1 calls, and in some cases, the amount
of time it actually takes to even figure out who in the heck
the VoIP provider is so I can try to get information from
them. There is no requirement for VoIP providers to follow
that says they must identify themselves to a 9-1-1 PSAP. I stand by comments I have made before
that the VoIP industry has 9-1-1 between a rock and a hard
place and even though the FCC tries to regulate them, they
just go crying to a legislator and get them to tell the FCC
to lay off and pay lip service to all of us about how much
they are doing to provide information to the 9-1-1 PSAP's.
Something must be done sooner than later to get the VoIP
industry to deliver call-back number and location to the
correct 9-1-1 PSAP's. While I am just one small voice and don't
have anything to do with whether or not our PSAP accepts or
rejects VoIP 9-1-1 calls, I am getting to the point of
wondering what else can be done to force the VoIP providers
to deliever call-back number and location of a 9-1-1 VoIP
call to the correct PSAP now. Sure VoIP is cheaper, if you have a
high-speed internet connection or cable connection in place
now, but if you don't, it evens out to about the same cost
as present telephone service and that is before the ability
of providing 9-1-1 PSAP's call-back number and location. If
the costs of providing call-back number and location are
added to the costs of VoIP service then it will be more
expensive and even out to about the same costs of a POTS
line. My point here, is that perhaps the PSAP's
in the United States should mount an extensive public
education campaign via every possible means of dissemination
to the general public about the failures of VoIP to provide
true Enhanced 9-1-1 service. We all went down this same path
with wireline and wireless 9-1-1 to establish the benefit of
the greater gain to all people by initiating a smaller fee
on 9-1-1 service, which up to this point has only been
applied to wired and wireless telephones. Now the wired and
wireless entities are having to pay for the increasing
problems and failure of VoIP service when VoIP customers
dial 9-1-1 who receive our PSAP services for free. Since
this is a problem created by the VoIP providers I believe it
is only fair for the VoIP providers and customers to pay
their fair share to support 9-1-1 PSAP's so that ALL of
their customers can also benefit from the ability of the
PSAP's to send emergency services to them. If you want to label this as a stalemate
or being deadlocked, I believe you are correct. But this
cannot continue. We, as 6000 or so individual PSAP's, do
not have the ability to legislate anything against the
hundreds of thousands of customers that VoIP claims to
serve, it must be done on a coordinated nationwide basis. I
see the minority viewpoint being followed in so many cases
in decisions from various courts. Why can't we accomplish
something that has been proven time and again to save lives
for the majority of people dialing 9-1-1, which is having
the call-back number and location of the caller delivered to
the correct PSAP, from a VoIP customer now. I'll get down off my soapbox now and let
the chips fall where they may. Carlton B. Walls III, ENP APCO International Job Openings
800 A.L.E.R.T Issues a Call to Action
800MHz WAVE 4 REBANDING
Click here to go to apcointl.org for more details What is T.E.R.T.? Find out how you can
help. View a PowerPoint Presentation
Steering Committee to
investigate the possibility of a Telecommunicator Emergency Response
Taskforce The
Keystone NENA Chapter along with the PA APCO Chapter, in collaboration
with PEMA, have formed a steering committee to investigate the
possibility of a Telecommunicator Emergency Response Taskforce.
Currently in its preliminary stages, the committee is investigating what
paperwork and legal issues must be completed to form a state-wide team.
The taskforce will serve as a resource, aiding centers, both statewide
and nationally, in times of need. The North Carolina NENA chapter
carved the program from the original Incident Dispatch Team concept, and
created a state-wide team. The idea was to support each other in times
of natural or man-made disasters. That NC Team was deployed to St.
Tammany Parish, LA, after Hurricane Katrina. They served as dispatchers
and call takers, and provided relief to the 911 Dispatchers who were
overwhelmed from the disaster. Serving on the PA Steering Committee: Audrey Rychalsky, Chair, PA APCO/York County 911 Steve Keeley, PA APCO/Montgomery County 911 Guy Napolillo, PA NENA/Fayette County 911 Cindy Geiger, PA APCO/Berks County 911 Cindy Dietz, PA NENA/York County 911 JJ McFarland, PA APCO/PSP Harrisburg Scott Krater, PA NENA/Schuylkill County 911 Chuck Hodges, PA APCO/Montgomery County 911 Ray Blouch, PEMA Representative If anyone has any questions, or would like
additional information, please contact the Steering Committee Chair,
Audrey Rychalsky at
ARRychalsky@ycdes.org or 717-840-2906. Denver 2005 APCO International
Convention The PA Chapter presented the
former governor of Pennsylvania, Tom Ridge, with an appreciation
award for all he did for public safety in Pennsylvania during
his tenure. Governor Ridge took the time out of his busy
schedule to talk with members of the chapter.
Award of Excellence M. Jay Groce, III Senior Technical Coordinator for the Chester County
Department of Emergency Services was honored at the PA APCO Spring
Conference with an Award of Excellence following his two year term as
chairman of the PA Public Utility Commission 911 Task Force, 2003-2005.
Jay has been a member of APCO since 1997 (Life Member), Past President
of PA APCO, and is the PA APCO representative to the APCO International
Executive Council.
Past President James R. Giannini,
former Director of Public Safety for Montgomery County,
Pa was recently honored for his many years of service
in supporting the Pennsylvania Chapter of APCO. Jim now
works for Plant Equipment in California. He became a
member of APCO in 1982 and served as Chapter President
in 1988. Jim co-chaired the East Coast Regional
Conferences in Pennsylvania in 1986 and 1992. With the
expertise gained in this, Jim served as the Chairman of
the very successful National APCO Conference held in
Pittsburgh in 1992. In 1991, the Montgomery County
Communications Center received one of the first APCO
Certifications. Jim Giannini and Joe Hamilton, also a
former Director of Montgomery County Public Safety,
worked together to develop and write two Public Safety
manuals which were made available Nationwide through
APCO. The Standard Operation Procedures manual was
written in 1990 and was followed up in 1992 by the Human
Resources Manual. Most recently Jim developed the
first Pennsylvania APCO website and supported it even
after his relocation to the West Coast. Jim now lives in
California with his wife Linda, and son Jamie.
Wireless Update: Funds approved for distribution On 2 June 2005, PEMA Director Adrian King sent
letters to the Chief elected official of each County with the total
eligible wireless funding from the requests submitted in March of this
year. This was followed-up with a letter to 9-1-1 Coordinators with a
breakdown of eligible funding and anticipated quarterly payments. Each County should complete and return the
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Payment Enrollment Form. This will
directly deposit wireless funds and speed the process. In addition to
the EFT, the County Certification needs to be signed and returned to
PEMA. The certification, signed by a county official, states that the
funds will be used in accordance with the law and approved plans. So long as these documents are returned you can
expect the first quarterly payment to be deposited by 1 August and
subsequent payments made each quarter. For budgeting purposes, keep in
mind that quarterly payment amounts are anticipated and the actual
amount may change as wireless providers remit to the fund.
APCO
International Chris Fischer Announces Candidacy for 2nd VP
Borash joined the Iowa Chapter of APCO
in 1985, transferring her membership to Minnesota when she moved there
in 1989 and back to Iowa when she accepted her position at WestComm in
November 2003. She served on the APCO Training Committee for several
years and was president of Minnesota APCO from 1995-1998. She also
served as the chairperson when Minnesota hosted the APCO International
Conference and Exposition in 1999.
On an international level, Borash served
on the APCO International Fire Committee from 1994-1996. She was a
member of the APCO Institute Advisory committee for three years and
chaired the group for two years. She also served on the APCO
International Strategic Planning Committee. Borash was elected to the
APCO International Board of Officers in August 2002.
"Diana has been such an asset to APCO
through her years of service on the state, national and international
levels," APCO International President Greg Ballentine said. "Her
passion and enthusiasm is unmatchable and will be greatly missed."
Borash is stepping down from the APCO
International Board of Officers after more than two years of service
citing "health challenges and increasing demands on time from work and
family."
"It has been a joy working with each of
you," Borash stated in a letter to the APCO International Executive
Council. "It has been my honor as well as a privilege to serve this
great Association. Please know I will continue to serve APCO as my time
and health allows. I appreciate each and every one of you and wish you
the very best." FCC Adopts Solution To Interference Problems Based By 800
MHz Public Safety Radio Systems
Multi-line telephone systems (MLTS), such as private branch exchange (PBX), Key or Centrex systems, often give 9-1-1 centers only the address and phone number of a single, central location within the system. That location is frequently the "front office" and may be located in a different building, city or even a different state.
In order to focus attention on this type of problem, the Pennsylvania Chapters of APCO and NENA are embarking on a program to bring this problem to the attention of the general public.
In addition, we want schools, businesses, hospitals, government facilities, hotels/motels, and other large building administrators and owners to be aware of this problem and acquire solutions for it.
Finally, we want our legislators to be aware of this problem and to amend Act 78 of 1990 to include wording which will require owners of MLTS equipment in Pennsylvania to provide the 9-1-1 centers or PSAP's with location (station) identification for 9-1-1 calls made from their systems.
One of the ways we have chosen to focus attention on the problem is the production of a brochure which will be provided free of charge to any PSAP in Pennsylvania for distribution by them to appropriate audiences. This brochure may be seen here (32 MB PDF format).
For any PSAP desiring to acquire this brochure please fill out the MLTS Brochure Request Form here (0.2 MB PDF format).
Florida Chapter Establishes Disaster Relief
Fund The Florida Chapter of APCO developed a statewide
Public Safety Communications Mutual Aid Plan that went into action
immediately following Hurricane Charley and continues now as the state
deals with the aftermath of hurricanes charley, Frances and Ivan. In
addition to its mutual-aid efforts, the Florida chapter started a
Disaster Relief Fund that will help telecommunicators who suffered
personal losses from the hurricanes. The Florida Chapter of APCO has set
up a relief fund for donations. All proceeds collected by the chapter's
Disaster Committee will go directly to the communications officers in
need. For more information about the Disaster Relief Fund, visit the
Florida chapter's Web site at
www.apco-florida.org. Juliette Gooding, manager of Cayman Islands 9-1-1
Emergency Communications, has asked for APCO's help in finding 9-1-1
telecommunicators who are APCO-certified. The island was damaged
seriously by Hurricane Ivan and all Gooding's current staff have been
affected. She wrote that some have left the island and those who remain
need some time off to take care of their personal needs, such as
repairing housing and finding places to live. Needed now are at least
four or five personnel who can come to the island to work for at least
1-2 years on contract, to allow the current staff to have time off to do
the above. If you are interested, contact Gooding via e-mail at
ebony@candw.ky or
cay.911@candw.ky. Please pass the word to your fellow
APCO-certified telecommunicators and let's show our island colleagues
how much we care!
Luzerne County 911
Work: (570) 820-4400
frosen@luzernecounty911.com
Luzerne County 911
Work: (570) 820-4400
johnank@luz911.com
Although this post is lengthy I am not going
to apologize for it's length because I feel it has to be
said.
http://www.consumersearch.com/www/internet/voip/fullstory.html
http://www.voip911.gov/
http://www.nena.org/VoIP_IP/index.htm
Skip Walls
Project Analyst
Lancaster County-Wide Communications
717-664-1106
cwalls@lcwc.co.lancaster.pa.us
Website:
http://www.lcwc.co.lancaster.pa.us
in Daytona Beach, FL
APCO PBX/MLTS Subcommittee Seeks
YOUR HELP in
providing recognition to organizations who are taking
initiative to provide solutions to provide 9-1-1 centers with correct address
information from a Private Branch Exchange/Multi-Line Telephone System (PBX/MLTS)!
of
United Sates, Mexican, and Canadian Border
Write to your representatives in Congress urging them to help expedite
negotiations with Canada and Mexico!
This affects Region 36 in PA!
Pictured from left: James J. McFarland (Past President of PA APCO and
current Chairman of the PA Public Utility Commission 911 Taskforce, M.
Jay Groce, III, ENP, David Newcomer
From Audrey Rychalsky, Member at Large, PA APCO
Executive Board:
PENNSYLVANIA APCO CHAPTER HONORS LONG-TIME MEMBER
Appoints Interim Executive Director
click
here for more info
Chris Fischer, Executive Council Representative for the Washington chapter,
today announced her candidacy for 2nd Vice President of APCO International after
the Credentials Committee approved her application. Fischer is an APCO Life
Member and recently received the Weldon Joe Blair Award for Leadership at the
2004 Conference & Exposition in Montréal. She also was named the APCO
International Communications Center Director of the Year for 2004 at this year's
conference. As director of Valley Communications Center (Valley Com) in Kent,
Wash., she oversees call-answering and dispatching for 27 agencies, with a staff
of 110. In August 1977, when Valley Com opened its doors, Fischer was one of the
original 11 dispatchers hired for the center, starting as a dispatch supervisor.
She was promoted to deputy director in 1980 and to director in 1987. Fischer has
long been involved in APCO's partnership with the Commission on Accreditation
for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). She helped co-write the CALEA
communications standards, which stand today as the models for communications
best practices. She now serves on the commission's Standards Review and
Interpretation Committee. So strong is her belief in the benefits of
accreditation that, as soon as the communications standards were established,
she started the process at her own center. In November 2001, Valley Com became
the first CALEA-accredited center in the state and on the West Coast, as well as
the sixth nationwide. Recently, Fischer's center finished an 11-year process to
construct and move into a new facility. Members will get a chance to learn more
about Fischer in the November issue of Public Safety Communications/ APCO
BULLETIN, when she begins writing her Candidate's Corner column.
BORASH RESIGNS AS
PRESIDENT-ELECT OF APCO
October 1, 2004, Washington, DC - The Association of
Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International announced
today that Diana Borash, Communications Director for WestComm, a
consolidated emergency communications center providing the police, fire
and emergency medical dispatch service needs for the cities of West Des
Moines, Clive, and Urbandale, Iowa, has resigned as President-Elect of
the association.
In a decision that supports public safety, the Federal Communications Commission
adopted a solution that will eliminate interference in the 800 MHz band. APCO
International President Vincent R. Stile commends the FCC for its decision. To
read President Stile's letter
click here
The Cayman Islands Need You
© 2004 PAAPCO
