County board updated on 911

During their regularly scheduled July 5 meeting, Waseca County Commissioners were informed regarding “Next Generation” 9-1-1 (NG911) emergency response. Three representatives from the state Emergency Communications Network (ECN) shared a slide show which described the intended transition over the next 4 to 5 years, from “Legacy” 911 service to a more digital, more precise public safety network.

“Think ‘marathon,’ not ‘sprint,’“ suggested agency representative Steve Tate. He told commissioners that the change is necessary for numerous reasons, including the fact that the 55-year-old legacy 911 system is “becoming fragile.”

The changeover is expected to be gradual because it must occur on numerous fronts. “It will require a huge overhaul,” he claimed. In order to bring NG911 to an operational level, Tate pointed out, there must be updates and protective protocols incorporated into digital elements of communication. “One ransomware attack can cost tens of thousands of dollars,” he commented. “And we need redundancy in the system: if one call center happens to be down, there still needs to be 911 coverage for any emergencies in that local area.”

 Right now, Tate said, there are 103 call centers equipped to receive 911 calls around the state of Minnesota.  Whether that number will remain the same has yet to be determined; Tate suggested that the expense, complexity, and expanded capabilities of the updated equipment might lead public safety agencies to consider consolidating. He did inform commissioners, however, that agencies with call centers can expect to receive a one-time $7 million payment in 2024. After that, grant monies will also be available for selected applicants.

Legacy 911, Tate explained, determines a cellular caller’s location by triangulating the signal off of transmission towers. The system is accurate to within about 9,000 feet. NG911, however, will be able to notify the call center staff member “which side of the county line a caller is standing on,” according to ECN department member Jill Bondous.

Commissioners were told that, using NG911, if a cellular caller spotted a roadway problem and dialed 911 to report it, the system would be able to follow “bread crumbs.” That is, it would record where the caller was when dialing 911, and then show other markers as the vehicle moved forward, for example crossing the county line or reaching an exit.

Another important step for the update is collecting detailed information for call center operators to access. Tate mentioned that the hope for the system is that, for example, if a caller reported a health emergency in a large building, the operator would be able to bring up a floor plan of the structure, see the caller’s location, and be able to guide someone to the nearest fire extinguisher or Automated Electronic Defibrillator (AED). Acquiring that information for all large structures will be a time-consuming process, but will be worth it when such detailed assistance can be provided.

Another aspect that must be taken into account when updating to NG911, agency representatives said, is ensuring that public safety employees are trained and ready both to operate the more complex equipment, and to handle the stresses of the job. “These folks work with people who are going through the worst days of their lives,” Tate observed. “We want to give them some resources to do the job well and protect their own mental health.”

During the July 5 meeting, county commissioners also heard from Steve Herman, CEO of Netwave Broadband operating out of Janesville. Herman told board members his company is already marketing its high speed internet access service in Janesville and the surrounding community, claiming that, with new technology that does not require “line of sight” connection to the customer, he will soon be able to offer his service to the entire northern half of the county.  Plans for expansion over the next 5 years include installing equipment on 6 additional locations, each capable of transmitting up to 7 miles. 

In answer to commissioners’ questions, Herman revealed that he is currently concentrating his marketing efforts in the Janesville area, since it is more cost effective to limit installation services to selected regions, rather than disperse crews over a wide area. 

Netwave offers high-speed broadband with $199 for installation and a $99 monthly cost.