Eastern Shore of Virginia

9-1-1 Communications Center

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

Position Advertisement - 9-1-1 Communications Officer

The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission is now accepting applications for 9-1-1 Communications Officers for immediate part-time openings and potentially for future full-time openings. The qualified applicant will work rotating shifts, including weekdays, weekends, and holidays, as well as fill in shifts as needed. Communications Officers are responsible for answering 9-1-1 calls, verifying the callback number and address of the emergency, determining the nature of the emergency and transferring the call or dispatching the appropriate emergency response unit as required, as well as other associated duties.

Minimum qualifications are a high school diploma or equivalent, including some experience in keyboarding or typing. Applicants must be able to speak clearly and distinctly, understand and follow detailed directions, act quickly and effectively during emergencies, and operate complex telecommunications equipment. Desirable qualifications include two years experience in law enforcement, fire, or emergency medical services, and/or public safety dispatching. Applicants selected for employment will be subject to a criminal history background investigation and drug screening.

Applications may be obtained at the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Communications Center, 23201 Front St., P.O. Box 337, Accomac, Va. 23301 or by download here. The application period has been extended and completed applications are now due by 3 p.m., September 5th, 2017. The ESVA 9-1-1 Commission is an equal opportunity employer.

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ESVA 9-1-1 Center Recognizes 2016 Communications Officer of the Year On Wednesday April 12, 2017, during National Telecommunicators Week, Communications Officer Casey Decker was recognized as the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center’s 9-1-1 Communications Officer of the Year for 2016. Serving as a 9-1-1 Communications Officer since 2014, she was nominated by her co-workers and then selected to receive the award by a committee of fire and EMS officials from both Accomack and Northampton counties. Decker, also serves as a Training Officer for the 9-1-1 Center. The award was presented by 9-1-1 Center Director Jeffrey Flournoy. Congratulations, Casey!

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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 Eastern Shore communications, a local internet and telephone vendor located in Cape Charles.

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9-1-1 Center to Upgrade Emergency Call Handling Equipment (CHE) The Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission recently sought proposals from vendors to provide, deliver, install, and integrate new telephone call handling equipment (CHE) to facilitate the handling and processing of emergency calls for the Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Center. Center staff visited other sites, hosted demonstrations, and evaluated proposals prior to recommending the successful vendor and product to the Commission. The new equipment and software, known as Emergency CallWorks, will be provided by Motorola Solutions, and will be installed this summer. “Emergency CallWorks’ solution provides an advanced, next-generation version of 9-1-1 that will be 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.”

Chairman Donald Kellam and Director Jeffrey Flournoy execute contract with Motorola’s representative, Neil Kunzler.

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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 10, 2017 Incorporated

Communications Manual

Changes in Communications Manual By Date

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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 2017, Eastern Shore of Virginia 9-1-1 Commission

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Last Updated August 20, 2017