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Fa <br />ORANGE COUNTY <br />BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS <br />Action Agenda <br />Item No V,=- B <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br />Meeting Date: February 18, 1992 <br />SUBJECT: Emergency Communications <br />----------------------------------------------------------------------- <br />DEPARTMENT County Manager PUBLIC HEARING YES NO X <br />------ -------------- --------- ------------------------------- <br />ATTACHMENT(S) INFORMATION CONTACT <br />Report Rod Visser, ext 2300 <br />TELEPHONE NUMBER <br />Hillsborough 732 -8181 <br />Chapel Hill 968 -4501 <br />Mebane 227 -2031 <br />Durham 688 -7331 <br />PURPOSE: To provide a report, for information only, on the County <br />Manager's review of the Orange County emergency communications system. <br />BACKGROUND: During the past autumn, the County Manager conducted a <br />review of the emergency communications system in Orange County to <br />confirm those aspects of the system that are working well and to <br />ascertain others that may need improvement. An extensive series of <br />interviews was held, including discussions with each town manager, the <br />sheriff, volunteer fire chiefs and rescue squad chiefs, the medical <br />director, and many members of the Orange County telecommunications <br />staff. <br />As outlined in the attached report, the system review revealed that <br />overall, the emergency communications system works quite well. <br />Telecommunications staff are well- trained and motivated, and emergency <br />service responders throughout the County are committed to providing the <br />best possible service to our citizens. There are a number of areas <br />that need additional attention. The County Manager, with the support <br />and cooperation of municipal and volunteer officials, has implemented a <br />number of steps that will strengthen the system. These include the <br />formation of the 911 Communications Group, which is meeting regularly <br />to discuss and coordinate the implementation of emergency <br />communications protocol and procedure. County staff, with support of <br />the 911 Communications Group, is also undertaking an ongoing 911 <br />awareness campaign that will help inform the public about how the 911 <br />system works. <br />The Manager and staff will respond to any Commissioner questions about <br />the emergency communications system report. <br />RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the <br />report for information only. <br />