Eastern Shore of Virginia
9-1-1 Communications Center
23201
Front Street, PO Box 337, Accomac ,
Virginia 23301-0337
Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Commission
Awards Contract for 700MHz Radio System
To L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
The Eastern Shore of Virginia (ESVA) 9-1-1 Commission, on behalf of the Counties of Accomack and Northampton, has awarded a contract for the design, implementation, delivery, and maintenance of 700 MHz P25 Phase 2 public safety radio system to L3Harris Technologies, Inc. The commission approved the contract award on December 22, 2022, and its Chairman executed the contract documents following the Commission’s special meeting. The contract sets in place a project to develop a 700 MHz radio system using the latest technology and to deliver new mission critical mobile and portable radios to fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies for use over a 15-year project period. Implementation is expected to take 24 months. Public safety personnel will be briefed on the project in early 2023.
Funding for the project will come from an $8.245 million federal Community Project Funding grant administered by the Department of Justice (COPS grant program), other smaller grants, and local funds from Accomack and Northampton Counties.
L3Harris Technologies (L3Harris) is an American technology company, defense contractor, and information technology services provider that produces C6ISR systems and products, wireless equipment, tactical radios, avionics and electronic systems, night vision equipment, and both terrestrial and spaceborne antennas for use in the government, defense, and commercial sectors. They specialize in surveillance solutions, microwave weaponry, and electronic warfare. It was formed from the merger of L3 Technologies (formerly L-3 Communications) and Harris Corporation on June 29, 2019. L3Harris competed for the project through a Request for Proposals.
Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Commission
Notice of Intent
to Award
Contract for
700MHz Radio System
Serving Accomack and Northampton Counties
The ESVA 9-1-1 Commission, upon completion of evaluations of Eastern Shore of Virginia’s RFP #911-21-001 for a 700 MHz radio system project, has issued an Intent to Award letter to L3Harris Technologies, Inc.
Jeffrey Flournoy, ESVA 9-1-1 Director
September 23, 2022
Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Planning to Acquire 700MHz Radio System
In 2020, Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 began a planning effort to procure a new radio system to serve Accomack and Northampton County fire, EMS, and law enforcement agencies. The Commission engaged CTA Consultants to study system needs and recommend actions to procure a needed system. Following acceptance of CTA’s report, the 9-1-1 Commission issued Request for Proposals (RFP) #911-21-001 in October 2021 seeking proposals from qualified vendors. Proposals from two vendors were received. The Regional Public Safety Radio System Committee (RPSRSC), in addition to its planning input and direction, was tasked with evaluating the vendor proposals and subsequently making a recommendation to the 9-1-1 Commission regarding contract award. The RPSRSC will continue to be involved in system design and implementation once a contract is negotiated and awarded. Contract award is expected in Fall 2022.
Accomack and Northampton Counties Receive Federal Grant for 700MHz Radio System
In April, Rep. Elaine Luria delivered an $8.2 million CPF award to replace the Accomack and Northampton Counties public safety radio communications system with reliable, integrated, mission-critical voice and data communications for first responders and law enforcement. One of the largest Community Project Funding (CPF) awards in the country, the state-of-the-art radio system will improve communications for emergency responders and make our communities safer.
"Today, Fire, EMS, and Law enforcement personnel in the Eastern Shore of Virginia counties are operating on older public safety radio systems, with coverage issues and an overall lack of interoperability. The funding included in the FY22 federal budget towards the building and implementation of a new state of-the-art regional public safety radio system for our region will provide much improved communications for our emergency responders, ultimately leading to safer communities for those in our region. The efforts by Representative Luria and others, in securing funding for this needed project in our region, are appreciated," said Jeffrey Flournoy, Director of the Eastern Shore 911 Commission.
Accomack and Northampton Counties Regional Public Safety Radio Communications System
Amount: $8,245,000
Recipient: Accomack County and Northampton County
Project Description: The funding will replace the entire Accomack and Northampton Counties public safety radio communications system with public safety grade, reliable, integrated, mission-critical voice and data communications for first responders and law enforcement.
Accomack and Northampton
Counties Achieve Compliance
with
Virginia’s Marcus Alert System Through Rave 911 Suite and Smart911
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center, in coordination with the Accomack and Northampton County Sheriff’s Offices, Chincoteague Police Department, and Eastern Shore Community Services Board (CSB), announced on August 6 that the Eastern Shore of Virginia is in compliance with Virginia’s Marcus Alert System, which established statewide mental health awareness response and community understanding services, through its use of Rave Mobile Safety’s Rave 911 Suite and Smart911.
The Marcus Alert System legislation mandates a set of protocols to initiate a behavioral health response to a behavioral health crisis, including for individuals experiencing that crisis secondary to mental illness, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, or any combination thereof. It requires that, by July 1, 2021, every locality in Virginia establishes a voluntary database to be made available to the 9-1-1 alert system and the Marcus Alert System to provide mental health information and emergency contact information for response to an emergency or crisis.
Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center was already in compliance thanks to its ongoing use of Rave 911 Suite and Smart911, a national service that allows individuals to provide 9-1-1 call takers and first responders with critical information through a Safety and Vulnerable Needs Profile. When residents sign up for Smart911, their Safety Profiles display on the 9-1-1 screen and allow 9-1-1 call takers to view key information, like addresses, mental health and medical information, photos, emergency contacts and more. Residents are in complete control of what information is included in their Safety Profile and can choose which information they want shared with 9-1-1.
With the Rave 911 Suite, the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center, Accomack County Sheriff’s Office, Northampton County Sheriff’s Office, and Chincoteague Police Department also have access to capabilities like call notes, caller location and chat functionality—all of which help the Eastern Shore of Virginia’s First Responders provide better informed response to residents.
“Smart911 will be a great resource for First Responders to assist an individual who is experiencing a mental health crisis,” says John Konkel, Emergency Services CIT Coordinator, Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Services Board.
Individuals are encouraged to create their free Safety Profile with Smart911 today to have their information immediately available to 9-1-1 and to receive emergency notifications. Smart911 is private and secure, and information is only made available to the 9-1-1 system in the event of an emergency call. To create a Smart911 profile for yourself and your family, visit www.smart911.com. You may also download the free mobile app from either Google Play for Android devices or the App Store for Apple devices. For profile assistance or questions, individuals may contact the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center’s non-emergency line at (757) 787-0911 or e-mail 911esva@co.northampton.va.us.
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Craig Hudson Recognized for 9-1-1 Telecommunications Support On December 3rd, 2020, at the December ESVA 9-1-1 Commission meeting, Craig Hudson (left) was presented a Resolution of Appreciation from the ESVA 9-1-1 Commission from 9-1-1 Director Jeffrey Flournoy. For many years prior to his retirement in early 2020, as one of his duties as a Verizon employee, Craig provided assistance to the ESVA 9-1-1 Center (generally behind the scenes) to maintain the critical operations of 9-1-1 telephone services for Accomack and Northampton Counties, thus helping to assure the protection and well-being of residents and visitors in our region. Thank you Craig… we wish you well in your retirement! |
We’re Here for You… Dial 9-1-1 for Any Emergency!
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Chairman Donnie Kellam & Krista Kilmon |
Kilmon Certifies as Registered
Public-Safety Leader Krista Kilmon, Senior 9-1-1 Communications Officer, recently achieved certification
as a Registered Public Safety Leader (RPL) by the Association of Public
Safety Communications Officials (APCO). The RPL program is designed for
individuals seeking to develop a solid foundation of management and
supervisory skills necessary for successful 9-1-1 Center and dispatch
operations and is a year-long training and certification program. The
certification includes skills related to managing organizations and change,
communicating with clarity and confidence, building connections and
consensus, enhancing team performance, and ultimately applying learned skills
to better the 9-1-1 and dispatch profession. Krista will be recognized
formally at the APCO International Conference in August 2020. Kilmon began
her career with the 9-1-1 Center in 2006, being promoted to Senior 9-1-1
Communications Officer in 2014. |
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Tonya Blake Recognized for 9-1-1 Service Communications
Officer Tonya Blake called an end
to her shifts as a Communications Officer in early 2020 in the face of health
issues. The 9-1-1 Commission presented
a Resolution of Appreciation for her service with the following highlights: WHEREAS, Tonya Blake has
served the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission since 2010 as both a
part-time and full-time 9-1-1 Communications Officer; and WHEREAS, Tonya Blake is a
proficient and competent 9-1-1 Communications Officer and demonstrates this
on a regular basis; and WHEREAS, Tonya Blake, serving
as a 9-1-1 Communications Training Officer for the 9-1-1 Center, is a crucial
contributor towards the development of new 9-1-1 Communications Officers;
and WHEREAS, her colleagues,
serving alongside her on the dispatch floor for the last decade, will miss
her, her professionalism, and her overall positive demeanor; now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission does hereby adopt this Resolution of Appreciation and thanks 9-1-1 Communications Officer Tonya Blake for her lengthy service to the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center. |
Tanya Blake & Chairman Donnie Kellam |
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Mariner Recognized
for Outstanding Service
As 9-1-1 Commissioner On
August 1st, 2017, a Resolution of Appreciation was
presented to William “Bill” Mariner for his years of service on the Eastern
Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission. Bill was a charter member of the 9-1-1
Commission, serving since its inception in 1990 until his recent passing on
August 6th, 2017, just several days after the Resolution was
presented. For twenty-seven years, Bill, as a member of the Greenbackville Volunteer Fire Department, represented
Accomack County EMS on the 9-1-1 Commission. The picture on the right, from
the presentation on August 1st, includes (from left to right),
Jeffrey Flournoy (Director for the 9-1-1 Center), Donald Kellam (Chairman of
the 9-1-1 Commission), Scott Chandler (Consultant for the 9-1-1 Center), and
Ben Byrd (9-1-1 Commissioner), with Bill Mariner seated, holding the
Resolution. View the Resolution of
Appreciation |
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9-1-1 Center Upgrades Emergency Call Handling
Equipment (CHE)
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission recently installed and
upgraded its telephone call
handling equipment (CHE) to facilitate the handling and processing of emergency
calls for the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center. The new equipment and software, known as Emergency
CallWorks, was provided by Motorola Solutions. Emergency CallWorks’
solution provides an advanced, next-generation version of 9-1-1 that is capable
of moving beyond voice-only calls by processing multimedia information into the
call flow. Its browser-based workstation architecture eliminates proprietary
9-1-1 switching hardware, simplifies operations and provides cost-effective
system implementation, allowing for remote monitoring, service and support,
with continuous delivery of innovative new features. The system provides additional integrated
mapping features to improve call handling by communications officers.
Additionally, new telephones
utilizing voice over internet protocol (VoIP) were installed to support
Emergency Operations Center functions.
That system is provided and supported by NeuBeam,
a local internet and telephone vendor.
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9-1-1 Commission Deploys Simulcast Radio Dispatch
and EMS Operations Channels
The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1
Commission placed a simulcast radio system for F1 (Rescue Dispatch) in
operation during June 2015. The system
allows transmitters at multiple sites to be keyed simultaneously to deliver
dispatch traffic shore-wide. Previously, three separate transmitters were
used based on the geographic location of the call. When simulcasted, dispatches and radio
messages cover all areas; incidents in multiple geographic areas do not have to
be replicated. Additionally, the
Commission deployed a simulcast EMS operations channel that moves EMS radio
transmissions from the dispatch channel during July 2015. The EMS Operations channel utilizes multiple
repeaters to broadcast 9-1-1 radio traffic and rebroadcast field communications
shore-wide. As the EMS Operations channel
was readied for operations, field radios were reprogrammed.
Atlantic Communications was
awarded the contract to provide, deliver, install, and integrate the new
simulcast dispatch radio system and perform related tasks.
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Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Center is NOAA Weather–Ready
Nation Ambassador The Weather-Ready Nation
Ambassador initiative is an effort to formally recognize NOAA partners who
are improving the nation’s readiness against extreme weather, water, and
climate events. Eastern Shore 9-1-1 Center is committed to work with NOAA and
other Ambassadors to strengthen national resilience against extreme weather.
Additional information regarding Weather-Ready Nation can be found on the
National Weather Service website: http://www.nws.noaa.gov/com/weatherreadynation/ |
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Communications
Manual
Amendments
Through January 2022 Incorporated
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ESVA 9-1-1 Assumes 9-1-1 Services for Town of
Chincoteague
On Monday, November 18, 2013, the Eastern Shore of
Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center transitioned and began receiving 9-1-1
calls that were previously routed to and processed by the Town of
Chincoteague. The Eastern Shore 9-1-1
Center will transfer any police related calls to the Chincoteague Police
Department for dispatch, but will directly dispatch
fire and EMS calls to the Chincoteague Volunteer Fire Company (Station 3).
On October 21, 2013, Chincoteague Town Council voted
to transition Chincoteague’s 9-1-1 services and the dispatch of Station 3 to
the ESVA 9-1-1 Center. The last several weeks have included planning for the
transition and the development of an agreement between the Town of Chincoteague
and the ESVA 9-1-1 Commission.
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES, DIAL 9-1-1
Non-Emergency
Phone Numbers: (757) 787-0911, 824-0911, 442-0911
9-1-1
Administration: (757) 787-0909
Copyright 2023,
Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission
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Last Updated March 22, 2023