Eastern Shore of Virginia

9-1-1 Communications Center

23201 Front Street, PO Box 337, Accomac, Virginia 23301-0337

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.

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!

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.

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

2018 Telecommunicator of the Year Carlee Parker

Please join us in congratulating Communications Officer Carlee Parker, our 2018 Telecommunicator of the Year! Carlee is a huge asset to our 9-1-1 team and her dedication to the job does not go unnoticed!

Congratulations Carlee Parker!

Thanks to all our Communications Officers for their dedication and service throughout the year.

Mariner Recognized for

Outstanding Service As 9-1-1 Commissioner

On August 1^st, 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 6^th, 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 1^st, 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

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.

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.

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/

Communications Manual

Amendments Through January 2022 Incorporated

Communications Manual

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

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Last Updated April 17, 2022