Community Emergency Notification System MAG Management Committee November

Community Emergency Notification System MAG Management Committee November 5, 2003

What is CENS? CENS is a rapid notification system that will be used to contact the public during times of emergency n CENS uses the 911 database to contact citizens with emergency information n

How CENS Came About… Environmental lawsuit filed by Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) against a private company n Judgment designated funds for a community emergency notification system n MAG was the successful bidder to the ADEQ request for proposal n

Formation of Stakeholders Working Group n n Formed to ensure all interested parties had a voice in setting policies Diverse Stakeholder Participation – State, County, Towns and Cities Public Safety Flood Control Homeland Security Animal Control Emergency Management Communications Transportation and ITS

Policy Recommendation One Activation n Any emergency agency in the MAG Region may use CENS The field units will determine if emergency notifications need to be done Stakeholders define emergency as the following: Imminent threats to life or property Disaster notification Endangered Children Endangered Elderly Evacuation Notices

Policy Recommendation One Activation CENS will be activated through the PSAPs or 911 Centers n Legal opinion is being sought to provide clarification for nonemergency use. n

Policy Recommendation Two: Ongoing Funding CENS Funds will cover all activation cost until January 1, 2005 n Agencies will pay activation costs (46¢ a minute for completed calls) after January 1, 2005 Example: 1000 completed calls = $460. 00 n Subject to change based on experience n

Additional Stakeholder Recommendation Stakeholders agreed that a steering subcommittee be formed to offer guidance on system development n Stakeholders also requested that they reconvene as necessary n

Future Issues Liability – Over use/under use of the system n Ongoing Funding – Maintenance/Activation Costs n Non-emergency use of the system n

MAG 911 Oversight Team Met on October 23, 2003 n Concurred with the Stakeholders’ recommendations n Formed a steering subcommittee that would offer guidance on system development n

Request authorization to implement the following policies

Activation Fee Policy Emergency activation charges will be fully funded through CENS funds effective January 1, 2004 n After January 1, 2005, each agency will pay for each activation. n As more system data is available, adjustments in this policy may occur. n

System Activation Policy CENS will be activated for defined emergency incidents n Emergency incidents are defined as follows: n Imminent threats to life or property Disaster notification Endangered Children Endangered Elderly Evacuation Notices

Liz Hunt CENS Program Manager

CENS Program Manager Developed a three year management plan n Coordinating the Stakeholders meeting n Managing the CENS Funds n Training personnel on CENS n Facilitating a public awareness campaign n

Activation Timeline n n n n October 28 – First Simulation October and November – PSAP, Public Safety command staff/field personnel training November 14 – Second simulation December 3 – Request approval from the MAG Regional Council December 4 – Press conference & final simulation December – Public awareness campaign January 1, 2004 – CENS fully operational

For more information Liz Hunt CENS Program Manager (602) 534 -9775 Chief Harry Beck Mesa Fire Department Chairman, MAG Oversight Team (480) 644 -4945