You are Invited!
Mark your calendars and join us in Des Moines at the MaST Aquarium on Saturday April 25th from 10:00am-1:00pm to celebrate Emery the Emergency Penguin's Birthday!
In coordination with local & federal partners and the MaST aquarium, we are hosting Emery’s first ever safety event. This event will be focused on teaching kids a number of safety tips, to celebrate the work our Telecommunicators do every day, and it will be the official launch of Emery’s new friends, the Safety Sea Pals!
Share with your friends, family, and coworkers. Also, check the Safety Sea Pals out on Instagram and Facebook at @emeryssafetyseapals.
Hope to see you all at MaST Center Aquarium 28203 Redondo Beach Dr S Des Moines on Saturday April 25th at 10:00am!
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Program Manager Update
Quarterly Project Update: Progress, Preparation, and Key Milestones
The first quarter of the year has brought meaningful progress across several major initiatives, reflecting the team’s continued commitment to strengthening our systems and preparing for upcoming regional demands.
Centralized Logging Recorder Project Moves Into Next Phase
Significant strides have been made on the Centralized Logging Recorder RFP. The evaluation of written submissions is now complete, and the project has entered the in‑person demonstration and interview stage. These sessions are giving the team a closer look at each proposer’s capabilities and approach.
We anticipate selecting the winning proposer by the end of April. Once selected, we will begin a system‑design tuning period to refine requirements and ensure alignment before moving into contract negotiations. The project remains on schedule, with the primary implementation still targeted for completion by the end of 2027.
World Cup Preparations Accelerate With New Enhancements and Coordination Efforts
Alongside the recorder project, the team has been deeply engaged in preparations for the upcoming World Cup matches. Several major milestones have recently been achieved:
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Automated Voice Translation/Transcription Platform in Final Testing: Now in our test lab, this enhancement is nearing implementation across the platform. While it will not address every non‑English call, it is expected to significantly improve the experience for both callers and PSAP call receivers by enabling faster, more efficient service.
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Expanded Coordination With Regional Partners: The team has been actively refining messaging and assistance plans for visitors, discussing contingency call‑routing strategies, and hosting regular meetings with PSAPs and partner agencies to ensure readiness.
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Tabletop Exercises Underway: To validate plans and strengthen interagency coordination, our office has been planning, facilitating, and participating in multiple tabletop exercises ahead of the matches.
These combined efforts are designed to ensure that our systems, partners, and processes are fully prepared for the increased call volume and unique challenges the World Cup will bring.
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Financial Update
The beginning of the new year brings both opportunities and challenges. Expenses remain well controlled, with spending staying under budget through the first quarter. Excise tax revenue, however, is experiencing its third consecutive year of slight year‑over‑year decline. Despite this downturn, the organization continues to maintain a positive variance against budget expectations.
As with all financial matters, the team will remain vigilant in managing expenditures and closely monitoring revenue trends.
Quote of the Quarter
“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.”
-Warren Buffet
Continuing Towards Full Potential
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Platform Updates and Improvements
The benefits of the Platform are beginning to be realized. A minor software update was implemented in February, and the next major release has been installed in the Test environment. This is a vast improvement compared to the Legacy 12‑month update cycle.
PSAP Contingency Routing Review
The Technical Operations team, in coordination with the Intrado Local Techs, is meeting with each PSAP to review contingency routing options.
Key drivers for these meetings include:
- Recent Platform changes
- Staff turnover at several PSAPs
- The need to revisit available routing options and confirm current selections
These discussions are intended to be informative and to open the door for continued dialogue. Additional outreach will follow to ensure all questions are answered and any changes can be made.
SIP Telephony Modernization Efforts
To meet the increasing need for modernization of PSAP 10‑digit telephone lines, the team has been working with KCIT and Intrado engineering to implement a proof‑of‑concept SIP telephony integration in the test environment.
Highlights include:
- SIP is IP‑based telephony that has largely replaced traditional circuit‑based digital systems
- The IP phone service is being provided through King County infrastructure and integrated into the Intrado Platform
- This connection is designed to be replicated by any PSAP wishing to use a commercial SIP telephone provider
Although 10‑digit telephone service is out of scope for the Program Office, it remains essential to PSAP workflows. The PSAP community is eager to enhance resiliency, and SIP telephony represents an important step forward.
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Update from your 911 GIS MSAG Coordinator and Engineer, Rhonda Parrish
As the newest member of King County’s 911 Program Office, I support the work of our 911 GIS Team, which manages address and road additions and updates in close collaboration with the 41 addressing authorities across the county. Together, we ensure that the GIS data required for accurate emergency call routing is complete, current, and reliable.
With the transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911), the quality of this data has become more critical than ever. Before a call‑taker is involved, calls are routed to the correct Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) using geographic queries that rely entirely on precise GIS information. When data is incomplete or incorrect, calls can be misrouted—delaying the help that people depend on during emergencies. Maintaining highly accurate, comprehensive GIS data remains a top priority for 911 operations.
As we prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, I have been watching for opportunities to strengthen our data ahead of the increased activity the event will bring. For example, while reviewing permits, I identified a new community park—Legacy Square in the City of Renton—where World Cup viewing events will take place, and ensured its address was added to the 911 database. I am also representing King County in Washington State’s FIFA World Cup 2026 GIS Workgroup, collaborating with partners statewide to determine how our GIS capabilities can best support this major event.
I look forward to continuing this work with all of you and helping ensure King County’s 911 data remains among the strongest, most accurate, and most dependable in the nation.
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King County 911 Mission Statement
The regional 911 system provides an emergency communications link between the people of King County and appropriate public safety responders.
KingCounty.gov/911
Disclosure: This newsletter was reviewed and revised by Amber Thompson & Jami Hoppen with writing assistance from GenAI.
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