HomeMy WebLinkAboutEAC Minutes 10.17.2024
East Central Communications Council (E-911) Meeting Minutes
Thurs, Oct 17, 2024 - 8:30 AM – Rm 300 in City/County Building
Members Present: Assistant to City Manager Samantha Beckman, BPD Police Chief Michael Drake,
County Commissioner Kelly VanderWal. Others present: BPD Lt Drew Garry, Sgt Shawn Peterson, &
Admin Assistant Ronda May; Brookings Fire Chief Pete Bolzer; Brookings County Fire Association Dave
Jacobson; Brookings County Sherriff’s Office rep Dave Biteler; Brookings County Commission Dept
Director Stacy Steffensen; and Brookings County Emergency Management Dir Bob Hill.
Absent: Brookings Co Commissioner Larry Jensen
1. Call to Order: Commissioner Kelly VanderWal called meeting to order at 8:33 AM.
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2. Approval of Agenda: Motion by Sam Beckman, 2by Chief Drake to approve agenda; motion
carried.
3. Approval of Minutes: Pete mentioned that it’s Dave Jacobson for spelling. Motion by Pete Bolzer,
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2 by Chief Drake to approve the corrected minutes; motion carried.
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4. Approval of Bills: Lt Garry presented as submitted. Motion to approve bills as is by Chief Drake, 2
by Sam Beckman.
5. Quarterly Numbers: Lt Garry presented as submitted. Kelly asked w/burn ban, has there been many
calls & Dispatch have had to say no? Sgt Peterson said just 1 over Hobo Day weekend.
6. Old Business:
A. Update on Staffing: Sgt Peterson–2 new dispatchers started couple months ago, in training &
done end of Nov. Final open Dispatcher position hire starting Monday, in training thru Jan-Feb
timeframe. Close to be fully staffed. Chief Drake said Sgt Peterson has done a great job over the last
year w/filling our vacancies with qualified candidates from the eligibility list. Our last hire is from TX
and we’ll be fully staffed w/highly qualified people.
7. New Business:
A. Update on Dakota 911Conference: Two lead Dispatchers w/Sgt Peterson went & attended from ND &
SD professionals. Every year they give out 3 “You Made a Difference Awards” & we brought home 2 out of 3
awards – Emily Edstrom for community engagement & Brittany Williams for leadership. Kelly congratulated
Sgt Peterson.
B. Discussion on Plain Speak: Chief – we’ve discussed at local level for 1-2 yrs. Looking to fall into line w/fed
gov’t regulations post Sept 11 2001 w/guidance under FEMA. For operability in field to move away from 10
codes and everyone operating in emergency capacity to move to plain speak on radio. Now that we’re looking
for professionalizing the E-911 Center and going to plain language on the air, makes it easier in training not
learning another kind of language. We intend to start Jan 1 2025, will get everything out to the agencies, and
break it down to trainings Will take up to a year to get away from the 10 codes. Slowly phasing out over
2025. Pete asked if we’ve started? Yes, Chief said, but just slowly starting transition. By end of 2025 will fall in
line with FEMA & MIMS. Slow transition w/anticipations of frustrations. We’re stopping training on it now.
Chief checked w/State & nothing prevents us doing it this way. This will help w/other areas assisting with
language.
8. Other Items & Reports: Nothing from Fire Chief’s Assn. Calls are normal Pete said. Call numbers
have gone up in last couple of years due to increase in population & will be our new normal. With
weather conditions, anyone calling for burn permit Pete is saying no. Dave said the same at their
meeting this week. Bob said burn ban fully in effect. The day after ban went into effect, Sherriff’s
office came upon one & Dave said they sent it over to the State’s Attorney. Pete thinks our
educational efforts over last years also paying off. Kelly asked if Bob had update on White’s Verizon
tower? Bob hasn’t heard but getting antenna relocated from fire hall to water tower in White. Dave
said was getting some messages with the tones but no tones anymore. Kelly said getting tone but
couldn’t make out anything on the pager while in the Council room.
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9. Adjournment: Motion to adjourn at 8:49 AM by Chief Drake, 2by Sam Beckman; motion carried.
Jan 16, 2025 is next meeting.
Submitted,
Ronda May
BPD Admin Assistant