FEBRUARY 2012

We want your feedback on 9-1-1 maintenance services

We are conducting a customer satisfaction survey to identify successes and areas for improvement for maintenance services provided by the Systems Operation Center (SOC). All public safety communications personnel are encouraged to participate, from calltakers to directors.

MARC public safety communications technicians provide tier-I service and support, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MARC contracts with Commenco to provide tier-II and after-hour/weekend support to the region’s PSAPs. More»

New procedure for using Language Line postponed until March 15

In January, we informed MARC PSAPs of a change in the procedures for accessing Language Line interpretation services that was set to take place Feb. 15. Language Line has postponed the switch until March 15. More»

MARC region strongly represented at 911 Day at the Capitol

Public safety communications directors and personnel from across the state met in Jefferson City, Mo., on Jan. 17, to talk with legislators about important issues facing 9-1-1. People from the MARC region visited with more than 30 Missouri representatives and senators or their staff to talk about 9-1-1 funding challenges.

Keith Faddis, MARC’s public safety program director, also presented to legislators at the opening of 911 Day at the Capitol.

Staff contact: Saralyn Hayes, 816/701-8314

Public safety program welcomes a familiar face

Chris Allen Hunter is the new public safety program assistant. She has more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit arena as an administrative assistant. Chris worked in MARC’s emergency services department for four years before joining the 9-1-1 public safety program. She will support the program’s training and public outreach activities.

Contact Chris directly by email at callen@marc.org or by phone at 816/701-8360.

TAC registration now open

9-1-1 ALL•STARS: Celebrating the Best in the Game

Join us for the 15th Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration and Outstanding Performance Awards on Friday, April 13 from 6–10 p.m. Register by Friday, Feb. 24, and be automatically entered to win a free night's stay (night of your choice depending on availability) at the DoubleTree Hotel in Overland Park. The final registration deadline is 5 p.m. on Friday, March 30. More»

Featured courses

Active Shooter for Telecommunicators • April 26, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

Active shooter incidents pose several unique concerns for all facets of public safety communications. During this eight-hour course, participants will learn about the history of active shooter incidents with a special emphasis on events that have occurred in our region. More»

VRS: An alternative for hearing- and speech-impaired people to contact 9-1-1

According to the FCC, video relay service (VRS), a form of telecommunications relay service (TRS), helps hearing- and speech-impaired people communicate more naturally and efficiently than with other forms of TRS, like TTY. 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 9-1-1 workstation or by following your agency’s procedure. This helps improve the quality of ALI records in the regional 9-1-1 database.

Staff contact: Saralyn Hayes, 816/701-8314

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Feb.28: Refresher A

March 1: 9-1-1 Crisis Calls

March 6: Call Interrogation

March 7: Refresher TTY

March 8: Disaster Communications

March 9: 9-1-1 Equipment Training

March12–15: Communications Unit Leader Training (COML)

March 22: Handling Vehicle Pursuits

March 27: Bomb Threats and Explosive Response

April 2–6: Basic Telecommunicator Training

April 3: Refresher GeoLynx

April 5: Refresher TTY

April 10: 9-1-1 Equipment and TTY Training

April 11: Mo-TERT Team Leader

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

Feb. 23: Professional Development Series — From Buddy to Boss

April 13: 15th Annual Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration and Outstanding Performance Awards

Maintenance Services

In nonemergency situations, you may email 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.

Remember, it is important to reboot your 9-1-1 workstations at least once each week, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., when a MARC communications technician is available should you experience any problems. This will automatically update the GeoLynx map data on your workstation.

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?

Email Jen Houston or call 816/701-8394.