(Jan. 24, 2023) – Today, the House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Committee, chaired by Representative Leo Delperdang (R-Wichita), heard from Emily Nichols, Kansas Association of Public-Safety Communication, for an informative presentation. Nichols highlighted hardships in the industry and shared the example of a Ness County dispatch director who worked and lived in the dispatch center for 30-plus days because they didn't have additional staff members to cover shifts. Nichols indicated workers sometimes serve as correction officers, cooks, transportation officers and babysitters for children that are brought in, along with serving in other roles. She highlighted the post-traumatic event tolls on staff and asked legislators to stand in support of them.
Scott Ekberg, Next Generation Coordinator for the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council presented background on the historical modernization of the statewide 911 services and discussed the most recent network upgrades being completed with AT&T Switched Ethernet. Ekberg highlighted how the network upgrades provide increased bandwidth, offer a second level of redundant connectivity and allow for streaming video from 911 callers who opt-in. The conferee highlighted the following partnerships:
- KDOT bringing railroad crossing data and traffic-related event data to emergency command centers
- Kansas Board of Emergency Medical Services bringing data relating to the existence and location of automated external defibrillators to emergency command centers
- Kansas 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline assisting in establishing a protocol to ensure interoperability between 988 and 911 dialing codes
The committee asked conferees about previous 911 outages and qualification standards for those employed by 911 dispatch services.
The Senate Judiciary Committee, chaired by Senator Kellie Warren (R-Leawood), held a mirror informational hearing today as well.