City of Helena to use 9-1-1 grant funding for NG9-1-1 compatible call system

The city of Helena looking for information for the implementation of an NG9-1-1 compatible call system after being awarded funding from the State of Montana’s 9-1-1 Grant Program.

In May of 2019, the City of Helena was granted $470,000 for use on their Motorola Call Works System, which, according to the city’s Request for Information, is what they currently use for their Public Safety Answering Point.

Dispatchers do more than answer emergency calls

Here’s a little more about us in the dispatch center in Boulder City. We have eight dispatchers (at last) for the city that are full time and one part time. At this time, two are scheduled at a time for 12-hour shifts. With sickness, training, vacation and other issues we are commonly staffed with only one.

Do not support 9-1-1 levy without answers

In preparation for the November ballot, I am asking voters to reject the 9-1-1 levy being proposed until such time the county proves it has done due diligence in analyzing options for upgrading 9-1-1 capabilities, as well as alternatives for funding.

The levy, recently referred to as an “emergency levy,” is the county’s solution to fund equipment upgrades that currently reside at multiple primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) at the cost of property owners with property valued at $100,000 or more. These PSAPs ….