SEPTEMBER 2014

Winners announced for the error report submission contest

Congratulations to the Fort Leavenworth PSAP and the Overland Park Police Department PSAP for winning the 2014 regional PSAP error report submission contest. Overland Park Police Department submitted the most error reports and Fort Leavenworth had the highest percentage of error reports submitted by call volume.

MARC Public Safety conducted its annual PSAP error report submission contest throughout the month of June. In addition to providing some friendly competition, this contest also is an opportunity to help clean up the region's 9-1-1 database and map data. This has the potential to make telecommunicators' jobs easier when handling a call and could help agencies provide faster response times.

In total, 16 PSAPs across the region participated in the contest. All the dispatchers at these PSAPs received donuts during their shifts.

Telecommunicators celebrate 9-1-1 Day at the Ballpark

On Saturday, July 19, public safety personnel from around the metro and their families attended 9-1-1 Day at the Ballpark at the CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kansas. Nearly 500 people attended this event, which was a special part of First Responders Night. Telecommunicators and dispatchers who answer 9-1-1 calls across the region often have to work long hours and take calls from citizens in crisis. MARC's Public Safety Program hosts events like 9-1-1 Day at the Ballpark to provide telecommunicators with an opportunity to spend time together in a less stressful environment.

View photos of this year’s 9-1-1 Day at the Ballpark»

Sgt. Bill Smith of the Shawnee Police Department won the early registration drawing and received 10 tickets to watch the game in an air-conditioned suite.

This event would not have been a success without the participation of telecommunicators and their families. The entire Public Safety Communications staff would like to say thank everyone who helped make this year's 9-1-1 Day at the Ballpark a success.

After 39 years of service, Anthony Bernal retires

Anthony "Tony" Bernal has always loved sports. He watches football, hockey, soccer, baseball — if it involves a team competition, he either wants to watch or participate.

"The idea of competing and being on a team is something I have always enjoyed," said Bernal.

After a football injury, a high school guidance counselor directed Bernal toward a career in public safety. Throughout his career in public safety communications, Bernal's enthusiasm and good sportsmanship have made him not only an effective supervisor but also a leader across the region.

After 39 years of service, Bernal retired from his position as the senior dispatch supervisor for the Overland Park Police Department. During his early years he served as a community service aid in a grant supported position and a police dispatcher. Over the past four decades, he worked undercover assignments with the investigations division, assisted with hostage negotiation situations, and volunteered for search and rescue missions.

"I was able to work in every department, which made my career very interesting," said Bernal. "When you take the time to learn what everyone else does in the police department, it helps you, as a dispatcher, learn how to help them."

In 1982 he was assigned the role of dispatch supervisor. Bernal was an active contributing member to APCO and made significant contributions to the regional 9-1-1 system — including verifying addresses for the original MSAG database.

Since retiring, Bernal has kept busy with family activities. Recently he took a cruise with his wife through Canada and to Alaska. He is also coaching his grandson's 3rd grade football team, which allows him to pursue some of his life's passions — sports, leadership and team building. Thank you, Tony Bernal, for your service to the entire MARC region.

First-ever regional COMMEX training held in July

Communications Unit Leaders (COMLs) and Communications Technicians (COMTs) participated in the first-ever regional Communications Unit Exercise (COMMEX) between July 22 and July 24. This exercise provided an opportunity for communications unit leaders and technicians to practice their skills in a scenario-based exercise that complements communications interoperability training offered by MARC’s Public Safety Communications program.

"This training is a great opportunity for individuals to put what they have learned in class into practice," said Lee's Summit Communication Supervisor Jamie Taylor.

Participants were given a fictitious scenario involving a tornado in Independence and Lee’s Summit, and operated out of a mobile command center to provide interoperable communications during the entire event.

"This type of simulation helps us identify and prepare those individuals who will lead our teams during a large-scale event," said Taylor.

Participants were able to improve their interoperability communications skills, enhance their knowledge of other emergency response roles and duties, and network with fellow emergency response personnel who would assist in a large-scale incident.

This training followed guidance established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP).

Date changes for Professional Development Series sessions

Due to scheduling conflicts the Public Safety Communications program has rescheduled the final two Professional Development Series sessions for 2014. The August presentation, Surviving Sandy: Lessons from the Superstorm, is now scheduled for Nov. 19. The Sept. 29 PDS session, Employee Retention: Why are They Leaving?, was originally scheduled for Nov. 19. To learn more about these luncheons or register, please visit marc.org/publicsafety/training or call 816-701-8330.

Maintenance Services

If your issue requires immediate attention please call 816/421-2911 any time day or night.

In non-emergency situations, you may email maintenance requests or questions to 911techs@marc.org or call 816/421-2911.

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

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Oct. 20: Public Safety Leadership
A to Z

Oct. 21: Tactical Dispatch

Oct. 23: 9-1-1 Liability

Oct. 30: 9-1-1 Customer Service

Nov. 4: Managing Negativity in the Workplace

Nov. 14: Spanish for Telecommunicators II

Nov. 18: Violence in Public Settings

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

Nov. 19: Professional Development Series — Surviving Sandy: Lessons from the Superstorm

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 Paul Lampe or call 816/701-8366.