by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 10, 2019 | Comm Center News
FCC Commissioner Reprimands 3 States for Continually Diverting 9-1-1 Fees
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo received the letter, which called the three states “habitual diverters of 9-1-1 fees,” and said they “appear to have little interest in correcting this harmful behavior.”
O’Rielly said the three states diverted the most money, in both total funding diverted and on a percentage basis, according to the FCC’s most recent report. Specifically, New York, New Jersey and Rhode Island were responsible for diversions of $170.9 million, $94.2 million and $11.4 million, equating to 90.35%, 77.26% and 67.7%, respectively, of monies received.
In the case of Rhode Island and New Jersey, the collected funds diverted were used for purposes completely unrelated or not demonstrated to be related to emergency communications. In New York, the commission found that the vast majority of funding did not go to 9-1-1-related purposes and a mere $10 million of the $75 million in the state’s various “public safety grants” were 9-1-1 related.
The letter said diverting 9-1-1 fees undermines the willingness of consumers to support 9-1-1, shortchanges the budgets of emergency centers and prevents systems from being upgraded, and makes the three states ineligible for new federal funding to modernize emergency centers. “This entire situation, however, is entirely fixable,” O’Rielly said. “If you are ready to exert the necessary leadership, I stand ready to work with you to eliminate the 9-1-1 fee diversion practices of your respective states.” The full letter is here.
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by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 9, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News
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Abstract
Introduction: Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) quality can have life-or-death implications. The quality of service provided by PSAPs is inconsistent due to the lack of mandatory standards of care at the national, state, and local levels. Public demands and duties placed on PSAPs have grown due to technological changes, civil cases alleging negligence, and the emergence of national recommended standards of care, yet governments at all levels have been slow to create governance structures to reinforce adherence to standards.
Methods: This article focuses on the question: How do PSAP leaders measure performance based on their definition of quality? The method used is directed content analysis, including analysis of interview and focus group data.
Results: As a result of this study, a new six-dimensional model for quality emerged. Participants defined PSAP quality as achieving balance across a continuum of nuanced variables because a single 911 call may have “99 tasks that need to be done.” Telecommunicators must: (a) Be fast AND accurate, (b) Use their judgement AND follow the protocol, and (c) Utilize all available technology AND prepare for that same technology to fail.
Conclusion: PSAP leaders should consider instructing new employees with the sixdimensional model to set expectations of performance while avoiding the perception of false dichotomies. This model should also be considered when implementing new quality improvement programs or procedures. By considering the totality and complexity of quality definitions, PSAP leaders can allow for reasonable variation and thus curb anxiety and frustration among their employees.
Topics:emergency dispatch|evidence-based management|leadership|public saftey answering points|quality improvement|standard of care
by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 9, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News
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Abstract
Introduction: Empirical literature examining the health and wellness of emergency responders has continued to grow over the past decade. Yet there is a relative absence of literature on 911 telecommunicators, who are often the “first, first responders” in an emergency. Examination of work-related factors that enhance risk for stress and adverse outcomes may improve current prevention and intervention efforts in this population.
Methods: Civilian 911 calltakers and dispatchers from the state of California (N = 833) participated in an online study to examine the impact of work-related factors (i.e., work-life balance, burnout, work conditions) on health-related outcomes (i.e., satisfaction with life, depression/anxiety, physical health). Further, the extent to which work-related factors had an indirect effect on health outcomes through perceived stress was tested using path analysis.
Results: Results indicated that burnout and work-life balance had significant direct effects on perceived stress and health-related outcomes. Further, perceived stress was a mechanism by which burnout and work-life balance had an impact on health-related outcomes.
Conclusions: Work conditions (i.e., mandatory overtime, weekend shifts) exhibited a direct effect only on satisfaction with life. Implications for study findings on the 911 industry are discussed.
Topics:911|burnout|mental health|physical health|stress|stress management|work-life balance
by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 9, 2019 | Articles, Comm Center News
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Abstract
Introduction: Rapid identification of sudden out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) and delivery of bystander chest compressions in patients with ventricular fibrillation are key elements in the chain of survival. However, time to bystander compressions can be greatly affected by a wide variety of barriers, some beyond an EMD’s control.
Objectives: The aim of this study is to identify and quantify the impact that barriers have on the time taken to achieve bystander compressions for suspected OHCAs. Methods: This retrospective, quantitative cohort study was conducted by auditing audio recordings of 911 emergency calls, spanning November 25, 2014 – August 29, 2018, in which EMDs initiated bystander CPR.
Results: A total 496 audio recordings were reviewed, and 311 were excluded for various reasons. Therefore, 185 audio recordings were included in the study. Of these, in a majority (73.0%, n=135) of the calls, a bystander experienced at least one barrier to performing CPR. Overall, the elapsed median time to bystander compressions was significantly different for barrier versus non-barrier calls (272 seconds and 200.5 seconds, respectively). Time to bystander compressions for a baseline call was 171 seconds. Not surprisingly, as the number of barriers encountered during a call increased, the time to bystander compressions also increased significantly.
Conclusion: New instructions and modified scripting of protocols should be investigated to guide trained and certified EMDs in managing a wide variety of barrier types. Future studies should specifically investigate whether modified or new instructions reduce time to bystander compressions and/or increase survival from OHCA.
Topics:Barriers|Bystander CPR|Cardiac arrest|Cardiopulmonary resuscitation|compressions|DD-CPR|EMD|OHCA|Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 9, 2019 | Comm Center News
Comment Dates Set for 900 MHz, Z-Axis Location Proceedings
The 900 MHz notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) was published April 3. The document seeks comment on facilitating future broadband deployment in the 900 MHz band, which is configured for narrowband operations.
The Federal Register notice said 900 MHz comments are due May 3, and reply comments are due June 3. However, the FCC’s original NPRM said comments would be due 60 days after publication, which would be June 3, not May 3.
In addition, the FCC’s fourth further notice of proposed rulemaking to improve wireless E9-1-1 location accuracy, which adopted a vertical location accuracy metric of ±3 meters for 80 percent of indoor 9-1-1 calls, was published April 4.
Comments in that proceeding are due May 20, and reply comments are due June 18.
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by AllThingsECC.com | Apr 9, 2019 | Comm Center News
National 911 Program Suggests PSAP Tours During Telecommunicator Week
For nearly 40 years, communities nationwide have recognized the dedication of 9-1-1 professionals during the annual celebration, which honors colleagues and educates others about 9-1-1 services.
“Hosting a PSAP tour for an elected official not only provides recognition of hardworking telecommunicators but also creates an opportunity to bring awareness to 9-1-1 issues, such as appropriate use of 9-1-1 services, the challenges of deploying advanced technology, and telecommunicator health and wellness,” said Laurie Flaherty, coordinator of the National 911 Program.
A number of resources are available to help the 9-1-1 community request, plan and make the most of a call center tour on the 911.gov website and NG911 Institute’s website. All resources can be customized for use by any 9-1-1 system nationwide.
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