Program Manager Update

Hello and welcome to the most summer of summers.  I hope everyone is staying cool and safe.

I am proud to announce the 911 Platform Modernization Project passed two major milestones this quarter. First, receiving KCIT Architectural Review approval with no findings, and second, receiving unanimous approval from the Regional Advisory Governing Board (RAGB) for the system solution and selected vendor. As we move into the 'heat' of the season, next steps are to work through the contracting process with the vendor. We are still on track to transition from the current planning/selection phase of the project to the implementation phase in the fourth quarter of this year, with the initial calls transitioning to the new system in mid-2022.  This is great news and could not have been accomplished without the amazing help from the PSAP and Program Office teams.  

On another front, I would like to take a moment to thank you, our readers, for the time and attention you are providing our newsletter. We are seeing engagement rates with the newsletter of more than 40%, compared with more typical rates of 20%. We take this as a sign we are providing useful and relevant information; however, we would like to get those rates higher. It is with this goal in mind that I ask for your help. If there are future articles or information that you would like to see, please drop us an email and let us know your ideas at KCe911Outreach@kingcounty.gov 

Thank you all again for your support and have a safe and wonderful summer!

Welcome Amber Thompson

The 911 team welcomes Amber Thompson as the new Administrative Assistant.  Amber came to King County with 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors, leaving Kitsap County Superior Court where she managed jurors for five municipalities throughout the county and was voted employee of the quarter.  She has quickly become a contributing member, bringing team building, leadership, and management experience to the team.  She and her family enjoy hiking and outdoor activities.  She looks forward to meeting the stakeholders of 911 as she moves forward in this new career opportunity.  Welcome Aboard!

Financial 

The financial stability of the E-911 Program Office continues to improve.  The results of the Q1 2021 Financial Monitoring showed an increase in the revenue forecast along with additional operating expense savings.  Couple these with the financial efficiency of the new platform project and this makes the long term fiscal situation positive! 

The King County Office of Performance Strategy and Budget has officially deemed the 911 fund is no longer at risk.  

This is wonderful news and a great achievement for both staff and stakeholders. Future efforts will continue to push hard to maintain a reasonable expense position and utilize the excise tax revenue in the most efficient manner possible.  This now puts the Program Office in a great financial position to begin discussions and considerations of the various opportunities outlined in the Strategic Plan.

"The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket" - Kin Hubbard

Public Education & Outreach

Summer is here and the Public Education & Outreach Teams are already busy at local community Farmer’s Markets with more scheduled including the King County Fair. They would love to have you visit and say hello.  Following is a list of upcoming dates and locations.

Thank you in advance for supporting your local community and the 911 program.

July 3^rd – Federal Way Farmer’s Market

July 8^th – North Bend Farmer’s Market

July 15^th – 18^th – King County Fair, Enumclaw

July 31^st – Shoreline Farmer’s Market

August 1^st – Auburn Farmer’s Market

August 10^th – Carnation Farmer’s Market

August 12^th – Duvall Farmer’s Market

August 28^th – Issaquah Farmer’s Market

September 11^th – Redmond Farmer’s Market

September 18^th – Kent East Hill Farmer’s Market

If you would like to help the teams working any of these events, please contact the outreach team at KCE911Outreach@kingcounty.gov.

Where's Emery

Due to the extreme weather, Emery will not be participating in the current outdoor events.  However, he is still busy at work and can be found teaching you about 9-1-1 at the following links:

Emery and the Ice Carnival 

https://youtu.be/gyGOeAarqBM

Emery visits the fire station

https://youtu.be/7BDQek-o8xU

Emery learns CPR

https://youtu.be/9TFpcSBjbhI

Spotlighting Regional Partners

The King County E-911 Program Office partners with 12 King County Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP), also known as Emergency Communications Centers (ECC). The work the Public Safety Telecommunicators (PST) and Dispatchers do is critical to their communities and they are true first responders. The following is an introduction to three PSAPs, with more to come in future issues.

Issaquah Police Department

The Issaquah Police Department has a 24//7/365 PSAP. When fully staffed, there are 10 full-time and two part-time PST/dispatchers and one supervisor. Two full-time PST/dispatchers serve as leads providing supervisory functions as assigned. Communications staff work as partners in an ever-changing environment on 12-hour shifts (day or night shift) with 4 days on and 4 days off.

The PST/dispatchers are responsible for answering both emergent and non-emergent 911, police radio traffic, and maintaining paperwork and warrant entry for 3 local cities (Issaquah, Snoqualmie, and North Bend). They are responsible for the security at the police department building, entry into the Issaquah jail, and monitor cameras at the local transit center and others around the city.

If you are looking for a rewarding job in 911, consider testing for an entry level position at  www.publicsafetytesting.com. For lateral positions apply at www.governmentjobs.com and then search 'dispatcher/Issaquah'. 

https://issaquahwa.gov/306/Police      https://twitter.com/IssaquahPolice

Washington State Patrol

The Washington State Patrol PSTs are the lifeline for state troopers and many other state and federal contracted agencies. There are eight PSAPs located throughout Washington State with one in King County. A PST's primary responsibility is to efficiently multi-task with a variety of technologies. They answer 911 emergency, non-emergency, and business calls, enter and update call information into a Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and transmit and receive radio communications from field personnel. These critical responsibilities are the lifeline for officers and the first point of contact with the public who require police, fire or medical help.  

https://www.wsp.wa.gov/become-a-dispatcher/