Alabama Chapter of the National Emergency Number
Association
July 22, 1999
Call to Order and Welcome:
The meeting was called to order by President Russ Bowers. Vice-President Brad Smith offered our invocation. Shelby County 9-1-1 Host John Ellison welcomed everyone to the City of Pelham and introduced Board Chairman Chief Gary Waters to the members. New attendees were also welcomed.
President Bowers presented the April 22, 1999 quarterly minutes for approval. Mr. Seth Phelps of Baldwin County made a motion to approve the minutes as submitted. Mr. Donnie Smith of Chambers County seconded the motion and the motion passed unanimously.
Vice-President Brad Smith offered the financial report with an explanation of outstanding items. Mr. Richard Holt of Limestone County made a motion to approve the minutes with Mr. Bill Brodeur seconding the motion. The floor was opened for discussion. Mr. Donnie Smith asked if the charges for Language line usage had improved. Mr. Smith stated that there was improvement and once again asked everyone to identify their agency by name and not to use any numerical codes. He stated that this would assist with collections. The vote was called for and it was unanimous for approval as submitted.
Committee reports were called for and Mr. Bill Meadows of Lee County represented the Wireless committee. He stated that the carriers were ready to start Phase I, but that the CMRS felt the problem getting started were the contracts and the fact that the wireless companies were imposing liability on the CRMS Board. Mr. Art Falkner of State EMA reported that the Board had been soliciting input from other "like" states. He reported that the "goal" was not repeat their mistakes. He stated that the cost of recovery was not defined in the current submitted contracts. The Board reported a goal to start signing contracts in September 1999.
Mr. Max Armstrong of Blount County stated that the CMRS Board was not going to wait until all contracts were signed to implement Phase I, but must wait until there was enough to pay the up front and reoccurring cost.
It was observed that Governor Sieglemen had not filled the vacancy on the Board to date and in all likelihood would not make further appointments in the immediate future. It was also observed that no legislators had attended any of the Board meetings.
Mr. Donnie Smith asked was getting everyone to agree to one contract realistic? Mr. Armstrong stated that he felt it was a good possibility, but they needed a certain number of subscribers in place. Mr. Falkner stated that one contract may not be a possibility but that a similarity should exist. It was stated that a meeting would be held on August 17, 1999 in Opelika to further discuss these issues.
Mr. Bill Brodeur reported that the Conference Committee would limit the number of Exhibit Booth spaces to 38 this year due to space requirements. President Bowers also shared the Perdido Beach Resort's concerns regarding Conference Attendees and those staying "off-premise".
Ms. Debbi Higgins of BellSouth Systems and the Database Committee reported that she had been contacted regarding some problems with SCC. Mr. Donnie Smith discussed getting the "download" of their records and how each person may be able to accept the nightly service orders. He expressed the need for continuity between all of the agencies interested in receiving their nightly service orders using the BSSDI service. Mr. John Ellison of Shelby County 9-1-1 and the Chair of the Task Force stated that further reports regarding software requirements would be available at the October meeting. It was also stated that each District should receive a "snap shot" due to "Y2K". Mr. Ellison stated receipt of the information had been difficult in the past due to the format submitted. Discussion was held as to possible group software solutions once the format is known.
Mr. Roger Humphrey of Cullman County and Chairman of the Minimum Standards Committee reported that there was to be a meeting discussing the "Minimum Standards" draft created in 1995. Preliminary changes had already been discussed.
There were no other committee reports.
Discussion was held regarding the registration of Defibrillators with the ECD or dispatch centers. Mr. Roger Humphrey of Cullman County presented a form created to register this equipment. It was stated that Senator Butler had proposed a bill regarding this equipment. The bill passed and was signed.
For the good of the association, Mr. John Ellison presented a discussion regarding "shared tenant" services. Mr. Ellison reported that he had been working with a company who would like to come to the State Conference and discuss this issue. Further discussion was held regarding services available to assist in this problem.
Mr. Ellison requested that consideration of a change in the current by-laws be considered. He suggested that the by-laws be amended to further "mimic" the National Board with more people involved at the Board level. Mr. Art Falkner made a motion that a committee be created of the past Presidents for review and presentation of the proposed changes at the October meeting. Mr. Richard Holt seconded this motion. All were in favor and the motion passed unanimously.
The meeting was adjourned.