9-1-1 Dispatch Consolidation Working Group AnnouncedPosted & Edited By MARY KAUFFMAN
June 15, 2020
“Public safety is job number one. All Alaskans have a stake in how 9-1-1 works so making sure we have a functioning 9-1-1 system is imperative. We will consider the opinions of first responders, community leaders, the telecommunications industry, stakeholders and Alaskans all across the state before any final decisions are made,” said Governor Dunleavy. “Improvements to the state’s 9-1-1 system mean first responders can more effectively assist Alaskans during an emergency. This is part of my commitment to keeping Alaskans safe..” Under a state plan announced in May without input from stakeholders and Alaskans, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) and the City of Palmer entered into an agreement to consolidate emergency communication services to improve law enforcement services to all Alaskans. The agreement means that the build out of an Anchorage Emergency Communication Center project will cease and instead be moved to the existing dispatch center in Palmer to be built out. Through working with a partner agency, the planning and implementation of the project continues to evolve to meet the needs of the DPS to better our services to all Alaskans and cost savings will be realized for both parties. Former Governor Bill Walker's administration also asked in April 2018 the chairs of both Finance Committees to re-allocate $10 million towards the state’s ailing 911 system. The money was originally proposed for oil and gas research, but the Governor’s office said that this was more important. State officials said at the time that Alaska's 911 system is 30 years of of date and risking lives. According to KTUU, the current plan to bring a centralized 911 call center to Palmer is being met with some opposition. The plan was to consolidate call centers from Southcentral, Southeast, and the Matanuska-Susitna Borough into one centralized trooper dispatch center. KTUU reports the state plan to improve 911 service in rural Alaska however is being opposed by telecommunications firms that say it contains “catastrophic costs,” municipal officials who say it won’t deliver better safety, and some state legislators who say the state is sidestepping their desire to move slowly. Quoting an earlier news release from the Alaska Department of Public Safety, the ability to call 9-1-1 from a wireless (cellular) telephone and have a reliable call back number as well as location provided to the emergency services dispatcher is an essential component in providing public safety services. If the call drops, having a call back number is essential in gathering the nature of the emergency as well as staying in contact with the caller for up to date information exchange. Having a caller’s location, especially for callers off the road system, is crucial in finding an incident location and appropriately directing law enforcement, fire, rescue or emergency medical responders. “This agreement is a win for all of Alaskans because Alaskans traverse all corners of our state and emergencies can happen anywhere. This service has been available to our urban areas for decades. Right now, 80% of our geography isn’t covered by enhanced 911 services,” said Commissioner Amanda Price, Department of Public Safety. Price said, “Daily, we have incidents such as search and rescues and sexual assaults, and more across our state. Having a location of a 911 call will allow troopers to arrive on scene quickly and save lives not just of those who live in rural communities, but Alaskans and visitors enjoying all our state has to offer as they camp and fish. DPS believes all Alaskans deserve this life saving service, and that it is well past time to provide equality of this service to rural Alaska. DPS is so thankful to the community of Palmer for their partnership and support. This partnership, without question, will save lives.” The new centralized South Operations Center (SOC) would be located within the Alaska State Troopers’ Palmer Post along with the North Operations Center (NOC) in Fairbanks would provide the foundation for receiving enhanced 9-1-1, location-specific, calls from the public and dispatching the Alaska State Troopers and the Alaska Wildlife Troopers (AWT) statewide. The 911 consolidation plan is for the Palmer South Operations Center build out to be completed in early 2021. The two DPS emergency communications centers are primarily for the Alaska Department of Public Safety operations. They will be secondary to existing local jurisdiction 9-1-1 call centers. In response to the opposition to the 911 consolidation plan, Gov. Dunleavy's office established a working group to determine how to move forward. Rep. Gary Knopp (R-Soldotna) will serve on the governor’s 911 and Dispatch Consolidation Working Group following an appointment to the position by House Speaker Bryce Edgmon (I-Dillingham). Knopp said, "The goal here is simple: make sure Alaskans all over the state can pick up the phone and call for help in case of emergency,” said. “This is a life and death issue, and we owe it to the people we represent to make sure we get 911 and dispatch reform right. I look forward to a productive working group process.” Quoting a news release from Knopp, the issue of local job losses at existing dispatch centers across the state must be weighed by the working group. Other challenges to confront include the question of how the State of Alaska can move toward consolidation of dispatch centers in a way that ensures mobile technology is ready on day one, while also making sure the project stays on budget and preventing the state from facing a scenario where a natural disaster in one location shuts down 911 completely. Representative Knopp is one of two lawmakers who will serve on the working group in a non-voting capacity. There are nine voting members, and recommendations will be sent to the governor by September 1. Friday, Governor Dunleavy announced the following appointees to the 9-1-1 and Dispatch Consolidation Working Group also includes some who are opposed to the plan:
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