MARCH 2011

Survey identifies strengths and areas for improvement in region's
9-1-1 mapping software application

MARC Public Safety conducted a survey last winter to find out when and how dispatchers, calltakers, supervisors and managers use the GeoLynx mapping software. The survey showed that PSAP personnel rely on the software to: identify a caller's location when the caller doesn't know where he is; rebid a caller's location if he is in motion; locate calls from outside of a jurisdiction; and plot X,Y coordinates for wireless callers.

MARC and GeoComm, the software developer, have jointly analyzed the results and have broken them into groups. Together, we are developing solutions to address opportunities for improvement identified by the survey. More»

Registration deadline for Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration March 25

The final deadline to register for the 14th Annual Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration (TAC) is Friday, March 25. MARC Public Safety hosts this annual event to thank telecommunicators from throughout the nine-county region. This year’s event will feature comedy by Jason Cooper and music by DJ Twiggy.

We are proud and excited to include two new features for this year’s event — recognition of on-duty telecommunicators and meal options. More»

Kansas agencies think quick and turn to RAMBIS during phone outage

Last month, during system repair, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County's PSAP's telephone system went down. Generally, if a PSAP's 9-1-1 lines go out, its calls are rerouted to another, predetermined PSAP that will answer calls and then send them back to the original PSAP on an administrative line. In this case, however, both the 9-1-1 and administrative lines were down at the Unified Government. Personnel at the Unified Government and the Johnson County Sheriff's Office PSAPs made the decision to use the regional interoperable resource, RAMBIS to relay information. More»

Program hopes to expand success of regional trails-mapping project

MARC Public Safety wants to help communities implement their own trail-mapping projects so that pedestrians and bicyclists across the region can quickly and accurately notify emergency personnel of their location should they need emergency assistance on a trail.  

Several local communities have strategically placed signs on trails to help 9-1-1 callers more accurately describe their location when emergency services are needed. So far, 2,000 line segments in 22 communities with 473 unique trail names have been mapped in the Kansas City Regional Trails Project. More»

Program will post PSCB packets online and use less resources

In an effort to make more efficient use of our resources, beginning May 2011 we will post the Public Safety Communications Board agenda packets on our website and provide a link to the packet in meeting notices. This will avoid sending large files through e-mail, reduce mailing costs and make meeting packets easily accessible. Copies of the packet will still be provided to everyone at the meeting.

The PSCB is following the precedent set by the MARC Board of Directors, which discontinued the practice of mailing meeting packets September 2010. PSCB members who wish to continue to receive a hard copy of the meeting packet by postal mail should contact Adam Geffert.

Safety City helps families prepare for all types of emergencies

The Metropolitan Emergency Manager’s Committee (MEMC) hosted its annual Safety City Exhibit Feb. 11–13 at the Kansas City Remodeling Show. More than 250 of the region's emergency managers, first responders, law enforcement and community volunteers conducted demonstrations and hosted displays as part of a regional effort to inform area residents about the importance of preparing for all types of hazards, from tornadoes to terrorism. More»

Missouri public safety personnel unite for 9-1-1 Day at the Capitol

More than 70 public safety personnel from across Missouri participated in 9-1-1 Day at the Capitol on Jan. 25. Representatives from the MARC region included from left: Keith Faddis, MARC; Steve Hoskins, Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; Saralyn Hayes, MARC; Ruth Quirk, Lee's Summit Police Department; Jeane Rast, Kansas City, Mo., Police Department; and not pictured, Chief James Person, Belton Police Department; Robin Tieman, Cass County 9-1-1; and Scott Enss, Ray County
9-1-1. More»

Reminder: Submit error reports through Info Manager

Have you answered a call that returned incorrect information, was misrouted or displayed a “no record found” message? If so, please remember to promptly submit an error report using Info Manager directly from your PlantCML workstation. This helps staff improve the quality of ALI records in the regional 9-1-1 database. If you have questions about error reports, e-mail Saralyn Hayes or call 816/701-8314.

PlantCML changes name to Cassidian Communications

PlantCML, the company who makes the 9-1-1 answering equipment installed throughout the region, changed its name to Cassidian Communications, effective March 1.

"Despite emphasizing the new brand, our operational business remains untouched," Dave Rutan, CEO, said in an e-mail. "Our facilities, our people, our technologies and our commitment remain as they are."

This name change will not affect MARC Public Safety or the region's PSAPs.

Upcoming Training Opportunities

March 21: Disaster Communications

March 23: Connect the Dots

March 29: Bomb Threats and Explosive Response

April 1: Refresher GeoLynx

April 4–8: Basic Telecommunicator Training

April 18–19: Negotiations Training for Telecommunicators

April 21: Communications Asset Drill

April 22: Spanish I for Telecommunicators

April 25: Severe Weather Seminar

April 27: Handling Vehicle Pursuits

April 27: Compassion Fatigue

April 28: Refresher TTY Training

April 28: PlantCML Equipment Training

See a complete list of upcoming 9-1-1 training opportunities and GTI courses included in the 9-1-1 training consortium membership.

Special Events and Trainings

May 19: Professional Development Series: Why Leaders Fail

April 15: 14th Annual Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration and the Outstanding Performance Awards from 6–10 p.m. at the Adams Pointe Conference Center in Blue Springs, Mo.

Maintenance Services

In non-emergency situations, you may e-mail maintenance requests or questions to 911techs@marc.org.

If your issue requires immediate attention, or if you think it might, please call 816/421-2911 any time day or night.

PSAP Managers Forum

The PSAP Managers Forum is an excellent resource for managers and supervisors to share and exchange ideas, concerns and suggestions.

Have a story you want to share?

E-mail Jen Houston or call 816/701-8394.