Date: 10/01/2013
Final
Emergency Notification and Communication
WILDFIRE MATTERS REVIEW COMMITTEE
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10:32 AM -- Emergency Notification and Communication
Mr. Daryl Branson, Executive Director of the Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center, and Ms. Diane Culverhouse, Dispatch Manager, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, briefed the committee on notification and communications during emergencies. Mr. Branson first provided background on the operation and capabilities of 9-1-1 and emergency notification systems, and the various technologies associated with these systems.
10:45 AM
Mr. Branson responded to questions regarding television broadcast areas in certain parts of the state, the mapping of which results in certain counties not receiving notifications of emergencies in their area over the television. Mr. Branson responded to questions regarding the decentralized nature of 9-1-1 communication in Colorado and the potential for streamlining this system. Discussion ensued regarding the costs of running a 9-1-1 system in a rural area in comparison to urban areas. Discussion followed regarding legislation debated during the 2013 session pertaining to 9-1-1 service and voice over Internet protocol. Mr. Branson provided an example of a state, Washington, with a more centralized 9-1-1 system than Colorado.
10:55 AM
Ms. Culverhouse addressed some issues that Jefferson County has faced in dispatching services during emergencies, including jurisdictional issues among counties and certain technical issues that prevent emergency notification system calls to residents and, correspondingly, prevent dispatch of emergency services to certain addresses. Ms. Culverhouse responded to questions regarding the use of sirens as a warning system during emergencies. Ms. Culverhouse responded to further questions regarding the lessons learned by Jefferson County about the use of reverse 9-1-1 from the events of the Lower North Fork Wildfire, and the methods by which the county is educating the public about various warning levels. Discussion ensued regarding the impact of the loss of electric power on the effectiveness of the reverse 9-1-1 system.
11:04 AM
Mr. Kevin Neimond, Joint Budget Committee Staff, and Ms. Pam Monsees, Governor's Office of Information Technology, briefed the committee on the state's emergency communications system, specifically addressing the digital trunked radio system. Mr. Neimond provided an overview of the system and sources of funding for operating and maintaining the system. He also provided detail on the various stakeholders involved in using and maintaining the digital trunked radio system. Mr. Neimond discussed recent efforts to fund upgrades for the digital trunked radio system. Mr. Neimond and Ms. Monsees responded to questions regarding the lack of placement of digital trunked radio towers in certain areas when the system was initially established.
11:18 AM
Discussion ensued regarding prioritization of the digital trunked radio system for funding to improve its operability in light of its current state and the exiting of certain counties from the system. Mr. Neimond responded to questions regarding the role of the committee in improving the digital trunked radio system. Discussion returned to certain legislation pertaining to the system.