Title
A Resolution Of The City Commission Of The City Of Hollywood, Florida, Supporting United States Senate Bill 2061, A Bill Promoting Next Generation Emergency Networks; Directing City Administration To Transmit A Copy Of This Resolution; Providing For Conflicts; Providing For Severability; And Providing An Effective Date.
Body
Staff Recommends: Approval of the attached Resolution.
Explanation:
In 2002, the electorate of Broward County voted overwhelmingly to amend Section 5.03(A) of the Broward County Charter to provide for the establishment and County funding of a communications infrastructure for fire and emergency medical services. On December 6, 2017, the Hollywood City Commission passed and adopted Resolution 2017-366 expressing support for the June 15, 2017, Joint Position Statement of the Broward County, Chiefs of Police Association and the Fire Chiefs Association of Broward County regarding consolidated E-911 communications system.
The regional public safety communications system includes radio infrastructure, including but not limited to towers and radios utilized by public safety professionals and hospitals, the consolidated E-911 system and other supportive platforms and infrastructure. The complexity of the entire public safety communications system requires management expertise in operations of such systems and public safety, as well as technical expertise.
Public safety access points (PSAPs) and first responders within our County are currently not capable of receiving emergency texts to 9-1-1. Cities and the County have not implemented such Next Generation 9-1-1, which would enable texting to PSAPs and first responders, because of the cost. Other areas of the country and Florida do have the capability of obtaining emergency messages via texts to 9-1-1, creating confusion among residents and visitors in our County when seeking to contact first responders to address emergencies.
U.S. Senate Bill 2061 (SB "2061") has been filed in t...
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