December 9, 2002

Meeting Called to Order:  Meeting was called to order by Janelle Pepple at approximately 1:00 P.M.

1:00 P.M.(CT) Wayne Baron, Division of Emergency Management/Homeland Security as it relates to Communications-Specifically Equipment Interoperability:  

-Reorganization plan of Emergency Management (Sue Reinertson): Sue briefly went through the reorganization of the Division of Emergency Management, which was based on a new organizational strategy adopted by the Division on November 18, 2002.  The following are the “Action Teams” and their assigned Leaders that give support to Local Government:

*Pre-Disaster Mitigation Action Team - Adam Powers.  *Training & Exercise Action Team - Ken Jarolimek.

*Administrative/HR Action Team - Ross Mushik.  *Homeland Security Strategic Planning Action Team - Wayne Baron. 

*Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Action Team - Lonnie Hoffer.  *Public Assistance Recovery Action Team - Debbie LaCombe.

*Operations Action Team - Sue Reinertson.  *Public Information Action Team - Rob Keller.

The following teams give no direct support to local government:                       

*Information Technology Action Team - Larry Ruebel.  *State Planning Action Team - Janell Quinlan.

-Interoperability of Equipment, Personnel & Communications (Wayne Baron):  One thing that was learned from the 9/11 attack was the lack of interoperability of equipment, procedures and standards among responders.  A couple years ago a study was done in North Dakota and showed that all counties had vulnerable areas and threat elements.  They also found that these communities had very little ability to respond to a Weapons of Mass Destruction situation.  Because of these findings a 3 year plan of action was put together.  The plan allows equipment to be given to the most trained and capable individual departments throughout the state.  Over a million dollars has been allocated throughout the state.  Four main areas have been chosen to receive most of these monies & equipment.  While working with these four main areas they have found other areas that will also be receiving equipment.  Intend to build a tiered system of emergency response.  The goal is to have the Technical, Operational & Awareness levels all the same through out the state.  $200,000 has gone to communications equipment.  North Dakota has 3.5 million dollars to give out next year.  The Federal Government is giving out Billions of dollars for Homeland Security...and 1/3rd of that money will go to communications.  Need to order new radio/communications equipment that is interoperable with State Radio’s new digital radio system.     

-The State Radio Changeover from Analog to Digital(Rick Hessinger):  Rick went through the history and what has lead up to the plan they have now to implement digital radio communications.  Implementation from analog to digital would be an 8-10 year migratory path.  P-25 qualified equipment.    

 

 

2:00 P.M.(CT) Miscellaneous Updates:

-EAS Update (Rick Hessinger): Talked about the Amber Plan Program & how it works.  Packets on the Amber Plan should be mailed out to all PSAPs.  Anyone wanting this information should contact Rick. 

-Law Enforcement Computer Update (Rick Hessinger): North Dakota was eligible for a Grant that allowed all departments that wanted the Amber Alert System installed to receive a free computer.  Everyone that applied for this grant has received a computer.  Once everyone is online there will be statewide training setup. 

-PSAP Committee Report (Rick Hessinger/Terry Traynor): Terry Traynor went through the “Emergency Services Communication in North Dakota, A status Report.” This “Status Report” was derived from survey information received earlier this fall from all 911 Coordinators throughout the State.  The report shows that compared to other states, we are efficient in using our emergency communication resources.        

-NDACo Grant Proposal (Terry Traynor /Russ Lindblom):  The Public Safety Foundation for America Grant– was created with a $25 million grant from Nextel to APCo.  The foundation’s purpose is to provide grant funding to state & local agencies, to plan, deploy, implement, educate & equip Wireless 911.  Terry & Russ have put an application together and the Wireless Committee has made a motion to apply for this grant to aid in the implementation of Wireless 911 in the state of North Dakota.

-DEHS Update (Shelly Arnold): Tim Wiedrich is no longer with this Division.  Larry Webber is now the acting director.  Shelly is still the main person to talk to if anyone has any questions.  Shelly has been working on the EMD cards with the APCO training committee, & emailing out updates on changes to ambulances services. 

3:00 P.M.(CT) Project 38/Project Locate Update (Gary Kostelecky): Phase I is working in Stark-Dunn County from both CellularOne & Verizon.  CellularOne & Verizon has now billed Gary for Services.  Verizon says they will be ready with Phase II in March, 2003.  Work has started to sectionalize the signal off the towers.      

Meeting adjourned at 3:30 P.M.

December 10, 2002

Meeting called to order by Janelle Pepple at 9:00 A.M.(CT).                                                        

511 America‘s Travel Information Number by Ed Ryen %NDDOT: “511" is a toll free number connected to a travel information system.  “511" provides information about weather, construction, road closures, delays & etc...  “511" helps promote security and public safety by directing travelers away from congestion or hazardous conditions on all State & Interstate Highways.  Weather and Road Reports will be updated as needed.  ND will turn the “511" system on in January, 2003.  “511" will replace #7233. 

 

Business Meeting: 

Round Table Introductions were made:

Approval of Minutes for September 25-26, 2002:  Motion made by Ken Halvorson to approve minutes from the last meeting.  This motion was seconded by Dana Scherr.  All members in favor.  Motion passed.

Treasurers Report:  Carmen Reed reported a balance of $4,673.36 as of 12/09/02. Motion was made by Ken Halvorson to approve the Treasurers Report.  This motion was seconded by Dana Scherr.  All members in favor.  Motion passed.        Carmen will email out Treasurer’s Report with minutes & mail out Legislator books as soon as they are received. 

Wireless Committee Report by Russ Lindblom: -State Wireless Contract was approved for signing by the Committee members.  Briefly went through highlights of contract.  Contract is between Qwest & NDACo, who works through the Wireless Committee.  We would have to lose up to 20% of our cell phones before this contract could be terminated.  If we lose the Wireless 911 fees then this contract can be terminated.  The contract has an option to upgrade to newer technology if it becomes available.  Russ anticipates that this contract will be signed by the end of the year.

-Phase I Wireless 911 service will be officially requested for the State of ND before the end of the year.  Requesting phase II will be done on a PSAP by PSAP basis.  

-The ND 911 Association Webpage,  , will be used by Russ to keep everyone up to date with what he is doing and information on the Statewide Wireless 911 Implementation.

-Only two cities have not signed the Joint Powers Agreement with NDACo to be included on the Statewide Wireless Contract...that is West Fargo & Fargo.  West Fargo does have it on their next meeting agenda.

-Russ Lindblom, Rick Hessinger, Gary Kostelecky & Becky Ault are a subcommittee that will be searching for information on standards & guidelines for developing mapping systems.  

-Bowman, Hettinger, Slope, Grand Forks, Williams, & Morton Counties all passed the one dollar 9-1-1 Fee successfully at the last elections.   

ND APCO Update:  -The next APCO Conference will be held on March 5, 6, 7 & 8, 2003 at the Radisson Hotel (Downtown Holiday Inn) in Bismarck.  Pre-registration will be $50/member.    

-EMD Cards-working on these cards ...will be going through different state committees to be approved.  These Cards should be available the summer of 2003.  A committee will have to work with the Health Dept to review the cards annually for updates. 

-APCO is always looking for people to work at conference & be on the board.

 

New Business:

NDDOT Committee Report by Becky Ault: Discussed the standardization of addressing signs throughout the State. Suggests a motion urging NDDOT to adopt the latest Federal Standards for Signing, & send a letter to the NDDOT to this effect.   “Mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov” is a website where you can find the latest Federal Standards for Signing.  Jerry Bergquist made a motion to urge the NDDOT to adopt the most recent MUTCD Federal Standards for Signing as it relates to the Dual Signing Issue.  Ken Halvorson seconded the motion.  All in favor.  Motion passed.  The president will put this approved motion in a letter to Mr. David Sprynczynatyc from the ND 911 Association.

Release of Information Survey of ND 9-1-1 Coordinators: Discussed survey results.  All addressing was created using local tax funds and usage of addressing is not restricted.  For Non-pub numbers...on mapping information need to block out name & nonpub number if used outside dispatch.  Records retention...each local jurisdiction must define a records retention plan for all printed and recorded records.   

Election of Officers:  Gary K. made a motion to nominate Carmen Reed as Secretary-Treasurer.  Ken H. seconded this motion.  Mike D. moved that nominations cease.  Fred D. seconded this motion.  All in favor.  Motion passed.

Gary K. made a motion to nominate Ken Halvorson for Member-at-Large.  Dana S. seconded this motion.  Janelle P. called for nominations from the floor three times.  All in favor.  Motion passed.

Fred D. made motion to nominate Becky A. as Vice President.  Dense H. seconded this motion. Janelle P. called for nominations from the floor three times.  All in favor.  Motion passed.

 Gary K. nominated Terry Volk for President.  Russ L. seconded this motion.  Becky A. made a motion to have nominations cease.  Fred D. seconded this motion.  All in favor. Motion passed.

New Business:

Law Day, EMS Day & Heart on the Hill Day are all days at the State Capitol that the ND 911 Association has been invited to participate in and in the past we have had a booth set up.  An email will be sent out requesting volunteers for these booths.  Consensus is that we will continue to participate. 

Roundtable Discussion:

Motion to adjourn: Motion to adjourn was made by Fred D.  Ken H. seconded this motion. Meeting adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Carmen Reed/Secretary-Treasurer