i_911tf_2016a_2016-10-11t09:12:18z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 10/11/2016

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.