I_911TF_2016A 10/11/2016 09:12:18 AM Committee Summary

09:12 AM -- Call to Order and Opening Remarks



The meeting was called to order. Speaker Hullinghorst gave some opening remarks and discussed the agenda.



09:14 AM -- Federal 911 Efforts



Rear Admiral (Ret.) David Simpson, Bureau Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), testified remotely regarding federal 911 efforts. He discussed next generation 911 (NextGen 911) federal endeavors. He noted the interplay between NextGen 911 and FirstNet. He discussed the interplay and cooperative efforts between federal departments and local 911 authorities. He noted that 911 is primarily a local service, but requires local, state, and federal coordination. He highlighted the cybersecurity threat to NextGen 911 and the FCC's multi-jurisdictional approach. He noted that how citizens today approach and use technology is changing rapidly and that 911 services need to adapt to this new IP-based technology.



09:31 AM



Rear Admiral Simpson continued by discussing the FCC's oversight and responsibilities during outages. He noted that FCC rules do not cover the 911 system end-to-end. He noted that the FCC is working to share more information with local and state jurisdictions on outages. He also highlighted the FCC's role in working with service providers and discussed cybersecurity-related outages. In response to further committee questions, he discussed the costs and savings with with NextGen 911. He noted that the FCC believes that it has jurisdiction over VoIP and wireless outages, but stated there was a role for state regulation as well. In a response to a committee question regarding cybersecurity, he stated that as communications moves towards IP-based technology, more public safety communications are susceptible to cybersecurity threats.









09:48 AM



Rear Admiral Simpson continued by answering committee questions regarding the transition to NextGen 911. He stated that the committee should engage experts in Colorado and that the committee should consider a more formal 911 oversight system structure, such as a 911 board or administrator. In response to a committee question, he discussed the FCC's involvement in innovative funding for NextGen 911 and discussed the federal government's funding of FirstNet. He continued by discussing the interplay between 911 outage reporting to the FCC and the FCC's interaction with states. He noted that while FCC reporting obligations ensure national providers provide outage information to a regulatory body, the FCC is working on possibly sharing outage information with states. He stated that the FCC tries to balance the need to understand outage trends and the ability to preserve provider confidential information, while also ensuring rapid reporting to consumer. The FCC continues to work on providing current, timely and relevant information to local authorities regarding outages without exposing confidential provider information.



10:04 AM



David Furth, Deputy Chief, Safety and Homeland Security Bureau at the FCC, provided remote testimony to answer a committee question regarding outage reporting requirements. Rear Admiral Simpson continued by discussing how other states respond to outages. He discussed what the FCC does with reported outage data and the interplay with homeland security. He noted that carriers report to the FCC outages that impact 900,000 user minutes and last longer than 30 minutes. Admiral Simpson noted the particular challenges facing rural counties. He stated that the FCC is exploring whether to require an additional trigger under the rules, such as a geographic threshold, along with user minutes and down time thresholds.



10:28 AM -- Presentation on FirstNet in Colorado



Mr. Brian Shepherd, Governor's Office of Information Technology (OIT), came to the table to present on the status of FirstNet in Colorado (Attachment A). He noted that across the county, 21 jurisdictions were allowed to move forward with wireless communications for FirstNet, including Adams County. He highlighted the funding available for FirstNet implementation and planning. He discussed FirstNet's governing body and noted that Colorado is one of the few states that includes 911 representation on its governing body. He discussed the current status of FirstNet in Colorado today and highlighted the state plan process. He noted Colorado FirstNet's local outreach and education by visiting all 64 counties in Colorado. In response to committee questions, he discussed the bidding process for FirstNet. He noted the awarded company will get the license to use the FirstNet spectrum for 25 years. The winning company will build the network for public safety, but will be able to lease the spectrum for commercial use. Colorado is also investigating whether to opt out of national plan by requesting information on a Colorado-specific FirstNet network.



In response to committee questions, Mr. Shepard discussed how FirstNet interplays with the need for expanded broadband capabilities in the state. He noted that the capital costs of moving to NextGen 911 are expensive, so the state needs to look at integrating all services, such as FirstNet, through one broadband system. In response to a question, he discussed the differences between the national FirstNet plan and Colorado's investigation to an alternate plan. In response to the committee questions, he noted that $2.5 million in federal funds had been awarded to Colorado, and the state matched some of those funds through the Department of Public Safety. Finally, he noted that OIT is investigating innovative funding strategies and private equity for implementing FirstNet.



161011 AttachA.pdf













11:02 AM -- First Responder Panel



Ms. Kimberly Culp, representing the Larimer Emergency Telephone Authority, came to the table to discuss 911 service in Colorado. She discussed her experiences during the recent floods and fires in Colorado. She highlighted the issues of single service points, network diversity, and funding. She noted that for 911 to work effectively there needs to be collaboration with carriers and the federal government.



Chief Randy Lesher, representing the Thompson Valley EMS, came to the table to discuss his experiences with the 911 system in Colorado.



Chief Joe Ribeiro, representing the City of Manitou Springs Police Department and the Colorado Association of Chiefs of Police, came to the table to discuss his experiences with the 911 system in Colorado. He discussed his experiences with outages.



Chief Ken Watkins, representing the City of Grand Junction Fire Department and the Colorado State Fire Chiefs, came to the table to discuss his experiences with the 911 system in Colorado. He noted that the 911 system acts as a lifeline to the first responders on the ground by making sure first responders have all the information needed. He highlighted the issues of statewide 911 coordination, state 911 funding, and outage reporting.



Ms. Culp, in response to committee questions, discussed 911 authorities and governance in Colorado. She also discussed the 911 surcharge and PSAP funding issues. Chief Ribeiro noted that with the advent of cellphones, PSAPs are responding to calls that do not fund their systems, such as residents with out-of-state cellphone numbers. Chief Watkins noted that 911 funding has plateaued, which creates challenges for funding 911 system infrastructure improvements and implementing NextGen 911.



The committee discussed 911 governance in Colorado. Ms. Culp recommended a formal study group of stakeholders to work on the issue. She highlighted the work of North Carolina. Cheif Lesher recommended a statewide oversight committee with input from locals. Chief Ribeiro and Chief Watkins both stated their support for a collaborative task force model. In response to a committee question, the panelists described how their respective jurisdictions find out about and handle outages. Ms. Culp and Chief Ribeiro noted that the notification of an outage varies. Chief Ribeiro stated that, in his opinion, the state needs better control of when and how the PSAPs are notified of outages. Also, Chief Ribeiro noted that in the event of an outage, first responders focus on getting notice out to customers through TV, radio, or internet and making a decision on how to distribute resource. Finally, Ms. Culp discussed the challenges of wireless and VoIP services.



12:11 PM -- Anatomy of an Outage: Topic Introduction



Ms. Amanda Hayden, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to discuss staff research regarding 911 outages. Staff provided the committee with a memorandum (Attachment B). Ms. Hayden discussed how outages occur, the reporting of outages, how outages are repaired, and how outages can be mitigated.



Committee members gave some closing remarks.



161011 AttachB.pdf



12:19 PM



The committee adjourned.