Design Studio 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDT NENA Membership Update provides industry-specific news and information to 9-1-1 professionals. Delivered bi-weekly, the publication keeps members informed of all topics that impact the 9-1-1 industry. http://multibriefs.com/briefs/NENA/NENA.xml enNENA proudly announces the launch of the new NENA website, replete with features and functionality that greatly enhance the online membership experience, including: Social/professional networking features Blogs and forums Community groups & Chapter pages Collaboration and information sharing functionality Simplified login process for members-only content as well as event registration On-demand invoicing and real-time payments To access all that the new website has to offer, you will have to login with a brand new username and password. NENA began sending out this information yesterday, and the process will continue through this evening, as to not overload the system. Please make sure emails coming from "nena.org" are whitelisted in your Outlook safe-senders list (or any other spam filtering program you may be using). You can view a brief tutorial about the new website that explains some these features on the NENA YouTube Channel. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec012be3a31Featuring 90+ breakout sessions, full-day courses and workshops, a cutting-edge exhibit hall, and unparalleled opportunities for networking and career development, NENA 2012 is the can’t-miss public safety conference and trade show of the year. You can register online, download a faxable form, or take advantage of new installment plan pricing designed to promote ease of payment for 9-1-1 professionals attending the conference. This offer is only available online and registration must be submitted by November 15, 2011. You can find full payment plan details here. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec07fc52cf2The NDC’s unique, output-oriented program offers you the flexibility to focus on the topics that are important to you in a dynamic, cooperative, collaborative atmosphere where participants help develop the documents and standards shaping the future of 9-1-1. Click here to check out the brochure. And be sure to visit the NDC webpage for additional details and online registration. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec0cecc4fa3Presented by Intrado Thursday, October 27 @ 1PM Eastern Register today, for free! Industry buzz is all about the cloud. This free, one-hour webinar discusses how cloud computing can overcome the unique challenges of routing and delivering emergency data and services to public safety answering points. The webinar demonstrates the value cloud computing adds to emergency communications and the particular design of a distributed network and a central (cloud) computing-enabled public safety network. Can public safety apply lessons learned in the commercial and other government sectors? This webinar will demonstrate the feasible opportunity available to expand real-time life-saving data and services to better serve our citizens and help save lives and improve operational continuity. Impacts and implementation issues will be addressed in this timely discussion. Register today, for free! 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec1163ae804Visit the NENA YouTube Channel to view this FREE, one-hour webinar featuring Patrick Donovan of the the FCC's Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau explaining the Commission's Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on NG9-1-1 and taking questions about the contents of the document and how it relates to other pending proceedings.19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec13f2f34b5NENA has arranged for our members to receive a discount when they make a car rental reservations with AVIS. This discount is valid year-round, not just in association with NENA events. The discount amount will vary from 5%-25% depending on the rental location and dates. This special link is pre-populated with the discount code, so all you have to do is enter the rental dates and location. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec15ecf39b6NENA now has an official Facebook page! If you're already on Facebook, be sure to "like" us so that you can stay on top of NENA's latest news and events postings and keep in touch with your fellow Members. Click here to visit the NENA Facebook page. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec1987af117NENA now has a Twitter account! You can follow us to get the latest updates from the association and the world of emergency communications - all in 140 characters or less. Click here to follow us on Twitter. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec1b6492a28On September 22, 2011, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Next Generation 911 (NG911) proceeding. The NG911 NPRM sought comment on a number of issues related to accelerating the development and deployment of NG911 technology that will enable the public to send emergency communications to 911 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) via text, photos, videos, and data and enhance the information available to PSAPs and first responders for assessing and responding to emergencies. The NG911 NPRM set deadlines for filing comments and reply comments at 60 and 90 days after publication in the Federal Register. On October 12, 2011, the Federal Register published a summary of the NG911 NPRM. Accordingly, comments must be filed on or before December 12, 2011; and reply comments must be filed on or before January 10, 2012. The NG911 NPRM sets forth the comment filing instructions. For further information regarding this proceeding, contact Patrick Donovan, Attorney Advisor, Policy Division, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, (202) 418-241. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec2d0eb6e19On November 9, 2011, at 2 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), the FCC and FEMA will conduct the first-ever, nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). EAS alerts are transmitted over radio and television broadcast stations, cable television and other media services. The purpose of the November 9th test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system as a way to alert the public during nationwide emergencies. Although FEMA and the FCC are taking steps to ensure that broadcast announcements are made during the test, some people may not see or hear these announcements and, as a result, 9-1-1 Call Centers may receive calls. That is why both agencies are conducting various outreach activities to educate 9-1-1 Call Centers and other public safety agencies about the test. In addition, the FCC has established a website dedicated to the November 9th test which can be found on PSHSB’s website at www.fcc.gov/pshs. Moreover, both agencies plan to work with EAS stakeholders to educate the public in advance of the test. In existence since 1994, the EAS is an alert and warning system designed to transmit emergency alerts and warnings to the public at the national, state, tribal and local levels. EAS Participants broadcast alerts and warnings regarding weather alerts, child abductions and other types of emergencies. Although local and state components of the EAS are tested on a weekly and monthly basis, there has never been an end-to-end nationwide test or a national activation of the system. We need to know that the system will work as intended should public safety officials ever need to send an alert or warning to a large region of the United States. Only a top-down, simultaneous test of all components of the EAS on a nationwide basis can do this. On November 9th at 2 PM EST, FEMA will transmit the EAS code for national emergencies. The EAS code and alert will be rebroadcast by broadcast stations and other service providers until it has been distributed throughout the entire country and U.S. territories. What can state, tribal and local government agencies do to help? The FCC suggests a number of steps to prepare for the test. These include: Getting the word out about the November 9th test to state, tribal and local 9-1-1 call centers, first responder agencies and any other government agencies, as appropriate; Working with EAS Participants in your state to ensure that your state’s EAS Plan is up-to-date; and Participating in monthly tests of your state’s EAS. Although the EAS test will be initiated by FEMA, state, tribal and local governments can use the test as an opportunity to educate appropriate public safety and other government officials and staff about the EAS, how it works, when it should be activated, etc. Finally, the FCC asks state, tribal and local government officials to help inform residents within your jurisdictions in advance of the test, so that they will know what to expect. Although the nationwide test will be similar to the monthly and weekly tests that the public is used to, there will be some differences. For example, the November 9th test will be longer – approximately three minutes – compared to the usual two minute monthly test. Additional information can be found at the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau website at www.fcc.gov/pshs. 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec33f114dc10The Federal Communications Commission will require that all mobile phone service providers meet stringent accuracy location requirements by sometime in 2019, as part of its plans for Enhanced 911 service. Wireless carriers currently provide location information in one of two ways, according to the FCC: a “handset-based” method that uses Global Positioning System signals or similar technology on a phone, or a “network-based” method that generates location information by triangulating a signal in relation to nearby cell towers.19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9c27693d3a011The Washington Office of Unified Communications fields 4,000 emergency calls a day, but not a single text message makes its way to 911 dispatchers. At least not yet. Emergency officials, government regulators, and lawmakers are seeking to change that by pushing forward with next-generation 911 technology, which could allow people to send text, photos, video, and other types of data in case of an emergency. According to the Pew Research Center, the average American sends more than 41 text messages per day, while making about 12 voice phone calls. Emergency call centers need to take that into account, said Brian Fontes, CEO of the National Emergency Number Association, which represents a range of companies and government agencies.19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9c24d3decbd12A few weeks ago, the FCC released its cost study on the cost associated with making the transition from the legacy 911 networks to a next-generation 911 (NG-911) system that would enable public-safety answering points (PSAPs) to receive text, images and video communications from emergency callers. It was nice to see the first estimate of any kind regarding the potential costs for NG-911. According to the FCC study, it would cost $2.68 billion over 10 years to provide the broadband connectivity to PSAPs needed for the next-generation architecture, if the number of PSAPs that exist today remains constant. However, if there is significant PSAP consolidation — a very real possibility — and even more PSAPs opt for hosted solutions, the 10-year cost estimate is only $1.44 billion.19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9c25618223013The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) recently announced that the first phase of the state’s conversion to Next Generation 911 (NG911) is complete. The core infrastructure that will allow individual 911 centers to connect to NG911 has been built and is ready for testing. “The completion of Phase I of the NG911 project is a significant milestone,” said TECB Chair Randy Porter. “We want to thank our partners at AT&T and TCS for their efficient and effective work. We’re now ready to test the core and move forward with the next phase – connecting local 911 centers to the core.”19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9c248eb55ff14Be sure to visit NENA’s 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec3a91c15d15At the NENA Development Conference (formerly TDC/ODC), you have the opportunity to learn, in-depth, about the latest issues facing public safety, collaborate with your peers on documents and standards that will govern the emergency communications landscape of the 21st Century, and contribute to 9-1-1’s long-term ability to overcome (and proactively prevent) the challenges ahead. From both the technical and operations perspectives, attendees of this working conference can expect to roll up their sleeves and lend their expertise to bolster NENA’s current initiatives and identify the emerging topics that will define the association’s path forward in 2012. Find out more about the NDC: Visit the NDC homepage Download the NDC Brochure Register online Download a registration form View the preliminary agenda Learn about some of the topics that will be addressed at the NDC Make your hotel reservations at the host hotel and conference site (Caribe Royale) Sponsor this one-of-a-kind event 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec4efb672316 9-1-1 Goes to Washington - March 25-28, 2012 - L'Enfant Plaza Hotel - Washington, DC NENA 2012 – June 9-14, 2012 – Long Beach Convention Center – Long Beach, CA 19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec5c4e88c217 Gulf Coast NENA Conference – October 16-19 – Orange Beach, AL Illinois Public Safety Telecommunications Conference – October 16-19 – Springfield, IL WI-NENA Conference – October 23-26 – Wisconsin Dells, WI Oklahoma 9-1-1 Public Safety Conference – October 24-26 – Tulsa, OK – Call for Papers Florida NENA Conference – October 30 – November 3 – Weston, FL Iowa NENA/APCO Conference – November 7-9 – West Des Moines, IA Missouri APCO-NENA Conference – March 18-21, 2012 – Lake Ozark, MO – Call for Papers Texas NENA/APCO Conference – April 1-4, 2012 – Dallas, TX19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec7178994e18 Training the 9-1-1 Trainer 11.03.11 – FL NENA Conf. – Weston, FL Transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 10.30.11 – FL NENA Conf. – Weston, FL More Fall and Winter classes being confirmed! Please check back in the next email blast for additional upcoming courses. For more information on scheduling a NENA course in your area, please contact Chris Nussman, NENA’s Education Programs Manager, at cnussman@nena.org. Please contact NENA with any questions and/or comments. We welcome suggestions to improve our email blast!19 Oct 2011 13:02:29 CDThttp://multibriefs.com/ViewLink.php?i=4e9ec7446212619