Program Manager Update

Welcome to March 211, 2020…or at least it feels that way. Where did the time go? The days are already getting shorter and soon we will be breaking out the sweaters and coats. While COVID-19 has certainly presented many challenges, in many ways it has made us stronger. Here in the Program Office, the feeling of cooperation and collaboration is high as we work hard to find innovative ways to connect and enhance the feeling of togetherness and teamwork as we work from a distance.

The Platform Modernization RFP was released to the vendor community on 9/11, and that monumental task would not have happened without the tireless work of both Marlys Davis and Alison Ward. A huge thank you to each of them, and the rest of the RFP team, for handling the constant flow of curveballs and producing a document that will result in 9-1-1 technology that takes King County forward for the next decade. The challenges facing 9-1-1 have never been greater, and the momentum of change is gaining steam. We are challenged to ensure the technology adapts, is continually better and ultimately enhances the call taker and what they are able to do for the community. We must never lose sight of that connection.

Thank you also to our Public Education team who has scrambled to come up with an entirely new strategy for outreach, educating the young members of our community on how to use and interact with 9-1-1 services. There will be much more to come in future newsletters, but suffice it to say, they have done an incredible job and I am very impressed with their creativeness.

For the past year, the Program Office and the PSAPs finance teams have worked together to tackle the harsh economic realities that face us all. 9-1-1 revenue has not increased for almost a decade, yet the cost of doing business has continued to escalate. While I am extremely pleased we are close to completing a collaborative PSAP Funding Distribution Policy, the reality is we must increase the collective revenues to ensure the long-term fiscal sustainability of the 9-1-1 program and provide more financial support to the PSAPs. To that end, we will be working with our county and state legislators to explore increased revenue options.

I can’t leave before mentioning that I am so excited the NHL is finally coming to Seattle – I already have an impressive selection of Kraken merchandise. However, as a long-time Tampa Bay Lightning fan, a huge Woo Hoo to them for winning the Stanley Cup and may they reign until dethroned by the Kraken in 2022!

Valued Partnerships

Guest Contributor, Lora Ueland, Executive Director of Valley Communications and Chair of E-911 Regional Advisory Governing Board

The Regional Advisory Governance Board (RAGB) was established, as recommended in the 2017 King County Regional E-911 Strategic Plan, to be part of a formal, clear, and transparent decision-making structure.  During strategic planning, we saw again and again how the Program Office and the 12 PSAPs (here out referred to as Emergency Communication Centers or ECCs) must closely partner together to meet our entwined mission of serving the public in King County. The current and future 9-1-1 system must be secure, reliable, and resilient and service starts when 911 is dialed (or texted) until police, fire and medical professionals arrive at the scene.  The ECCs nor the Program Office can fulfill their missions without the other.

The RAGB  is comprised of leadership from each of the 12 ECCs in King County and meets every other month. We have a Charter which provides our authority and purpose, and details our processes.  Currently, RAGB is considering a policy that speaks to funding priorities and ways to ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the system.  Even though advisory is part of our title and structure, the Program Office relies on and values our input and we enjoy a strong and effective partnership.

More information on RAGB can be found at https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/it/e-911-program/regional-advisory-governing-board.aspx.

Welcome Home Emery

Welcome Emery the Emergency Penguin mascot to King County. Emery arrived just in time as he is about to make his movie debut with a series of short videos. The first few are centered on getting to know him and his family. Additional videos will focus on the When, Where, and How of 9-1-1, as well as 'Call if you can, Text if you can’t'. All videos will be released on Emery’s YouTube channel, King County TV, Facebook, and numerous other outlets.

When group gatherings are permitted, Emery will make live appearances at public education events, fairs, community groups and other places where he can engage with the public.  The Team looks forward to introducing Emery and letting everyone get to know him and his team.  If you have events you would like Emery to participate in, please email KCE911Outreach@kingcounty.gov. 

Teach Your Kids When They Are Young

                          Guest Contributor:  Nikki Davis, Kindergarten Teacher North Bend Elementary School

"I vividly remember the first time I called 9-1-1 at the age of 10. Being part of the latchkey kid generation, my younger sister and I were often home alone for a couple of hours after school. One day, I began cooking dinner and the oil got too hot starting a grease fire. I began to panic seeing the flames, but immediately called 9-1-1 and my sister and I safely got out of the house. I was responsible beyond my 10 years of age, but it goes to show how quickly an emergency can happen. I am grateful I knew how to call 9-1-1 to get the help we needed and thankfully, the kitchen was the only thing that was scarred." 

Teaching children what to do in case of an emergency is a very important life skill. Even very young children can be taught when and how to call 9-1-1. 

• Start by writing 9 1 1 on paper and posting it in a common area of your home, then practice with a toy phone.
• Teach them the information they need to give on a 9-1-1 call - home address, where the emergency is, first and last name, phone number.
• Teach them how policemen, firefighters, and paramedics help us when we have an emergency.
• Help them understand the difference of when to call 9-1-1 and when to ask for help from a trusted adult.
• Clearly describe what an emergency is and what it is not. 
• Present different scenarios to help them know when it is right to call 9-1-1. 
• Remind them to speak up and speak clearly to the 9-1-1 dispatcher.
• Children learn from role play so practice making fake 9-1-1 calls and let them practice.
• Remember to present this in a way that will not scare them.

Teaching these life skills at an early age will equip your child with knowledge they will need for the rest of their lives. Having developmentally appropriate teaching resources and curriculum in the schools will allow teachers flexibility in teaching the lessons of 9-1-1. A child needs to be prepared to know what to do in an emergency.  You never know when they might have to call 9-1-1, it could be life-saving. 

Interesting to note: Nikki's mom was the dispatcher who answered her 911 call and her dad was a police detective working in the same county.

                Technology Change   

                   Process Timeline

          Legislation: 9-1-1 Cost Study Update

The Military Department (MIL) and State E911 Coordination Office (SECO) were directed in Section 145, Chapter 6, Laws of 2019, Regular Session (Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1109) to prepare a report on the 911 system by October 1, 2020 that must include:
(a) The actual cost per fiscal year for the state, including all political subdivisions, to operate
and maintain the 911 system including, but not limited to, the ESInet, call handling
equipment, personnel costs, facility costs, contractual costs, administrative costs, and legal
fees.
(b) The difference between the actual state and local costs and current state and local 911
funding.
(c) Potential cost-savings and efficiencies through the consolidation of equipment,
regionalization of services or merging of facilities, positive and negative impacts on the
public, legal or contractual.

Due to the impacts of Covid-19, civil unrest, and the summer wildfires, contributing staff members from around the state were pulled away causing the work on this report to stop, thus delaying the submission deadline identified in the proviso. A 911 Cost Study Interim Summary Report was instead submitted to the Legislature. The full report will be ready for submission by the 2021 session.  

The Interim Report is available upon request at the contact information below.