winter 2013
DESCRIPTION
Quarterly Newsletter for Potter Randall 9-1-1 ECDTRANSCRIPT
In this issue:
Executive Report 1
Training 2
GIS News 2
Public Education 3-7
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Hello and thanks for taking time to review the Winter 2013 edition of the Potter-Randall
County Emergency Communication District’s newsletter. Graciously, the end of winter is
about a month away and we have the awesome Panhandle Spring time to look forward to.
Spring will be a busy time for District staff and our public safety partners at the PSAPs. As you
may know, new computers, monitors, keyboards, etc. have been ordered to replace the exist-
ing hardware. Believe it or not, the current equipment is already 3+ years old. Naturally, with
new equipment comes new software! Rest assured that everything will look and feel very
much like the current system. Training will be provided on the few new features, but don’t
expect to have to re-learn everything.
Thanks to all of you who assisted with our annual wireless testing. The District GIS team tests
the routing and locational accuracy of every sector, of every tower, of every wireless provider.
This is a very important project and we appreciate you accommodating our presence in your
communications center.
Readers of this newsletter are aware that our 9-1-1 centers, through the Language Line inter-
pretation service, supports virtually any language or dialect in the world. Each month, Lan-
guage Line provides a detailed statement that lists a number of things including language, num-
ber of calls, time elapsed, time to connect, etc. Did you know that people speaking the Karen,
Fuzhou and Oromo dialects received help last month? Where on earth are these languages
spoken?! (hint: Wikipedia) Language Line is not perfect. However I am amazed by the ser-
vice they provide.
I realize that not all Language Line assisted calls are true emergencies. It is my understanding
that the percentage can be pretty low. However, your professional handling of these calls pro-
vides priceless assurance to non-English speakers that help is available at any time, in any lan-
guage.
Thank you for all you do, especially the little things.
Thank you,
Greg Green, ENP
The Potter- Randall 911 District is sponsoring a busy month of May! It all begins with 4 days of AECC
hosted classes by PSTC to be held at Amarillo College.
May 6th 8:30 – 4:30- Complacency Cannibalism and Critical Thinking -Students will be provided with 10
proficiency tools to improve ability to gain or remain positive under pressure and resolve conflict within your
communications center.
May 7th 8:30 – 4:30- You Just Never Know Students learn skills to prepare you for that next crazy, chal-
lenging, unbelievable or seemingly mundane call for service.
May 8th -9-1-1 Progressive Supervision Workshop - Job specific training for Supervisors, Leaders and
Team Leaders
May 9th 8:30 – 4:30- People First Leadership Leadership, Inspiration and Motivations and how to apply it
within your communications center.
For more information on the above classes contact Bekki McQuay with AECC. [email protected]
Last newsletter the GIS team was preparing for Phase II wireless testing. First, let me say thank you to all of the 9-1-1 call takers who helped with answering our 9-1-1 test calls, we appreciate your service. The testing consisted of making 9-1-1 calls for eve-ry wireless tower in Potter and Randall Counties to insure accurate routing and location of the 9-1-1 caller per FCC requirements. All testing was complete by December and all wire-less carriers are FCC compliant.
In 2013 the 9-1-1 District will begin monthly wireless testing for all wireless carriers including pre-paid services.
The 9-1-1 District was informed that Nextel will no longer provide service as of June 30, 2013. In order to receive Sprint’s best level of migration support and to avoid the risk of losing ones phone number all de-vices would need to be moved to the Nation-wide Sprint Network by March 31, 2013.
The GIS team has begun the process needed to maintain and update the mapping end of Randall County Sheriff’s Office’s new Motorola CAD System. Additionally, we are in the process of reviewing new Pictometry oblique imagery, look forward to this new imagery in your PSAP in March!
405 SW 8th Ave
Amarillo, TX 79101
806/374/9800
www.pr911.org
Greg Green-, ENP
Executive Director
Robbyn Hart
Business Manager
Leticia Truex
Pub-Ed Coordinator
Duain Gomez, ENP
GIS/Database Manager
Rey Campos
GIS Analyst
Ramon Fuentes
GIS Technician
March 28th, 2013– Child Abuse
Prevention Conference. Amarillo
Civic Center
April 14th-20th, 2013–
TC Appreciation Week!
April 27th, 2013– March of Dimes
Walk for Babies Kick-Off -
Thompson Park
April 27th, 2013– YMCA Healthy
Kids Day -South Branch Y
@ Rotary Park
10am-2pm
It’s been a great start to 2013!
Public Education in Potter and
Randall counties is in full swing
with many community events
scheduled to get our message out.
February 16, 2013– Back the
Badges Night! Amarillo Bulls
Hockey –Civic Center Coliseum
March 2nd & 3rd, 2013– Make A
Wish Car show- Amarillo Civic
Center
March 16th, 2013– Severe Weather
Workshop– Amarillo Civic Center-
Heritage Room 9am-1pm
Public Education
AECC's
Troy Lightsey
is now a NINJA!