NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 14, 2005

County 9-1-1 Administrators Call Out for Help

The New York State Chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) is asking the New York State Legislature for its help in making sure that 9-1-1 centers across the state receive adequate funding for equipment, staffing and training purposes.

The state association, which is made of up 9-1-1 Center professionals across New York State, has released a Position Paper titled “New York State Chapter of NENA Position Paper Regarding the Equitable Distribution of 9-1-1 Access Surcharges.”

“This document outlines a serious problem with the way wireless phone surcharges are used at the State level,” said NENA President Don Jaquish, Deputy Director, Essex County Emergency Services. “We were encouraged with the Governor’s recent budget overview of Public Safety and Security, where it was stated that the 2005-2006 budget “fully dedicates cellular surcharges to ensure continued development of local E-9-1-1 systems and completion of the Statewide Wireless Network.” “However, the funding proposed is less than 10% of the total surcharge collected, and we are concerned that the $10 million dollars proposed in the Governors budget is disproportionate with the actual costs associated with maintaining 9-1-1 Centers Statewide,” said Jaquish.

New York State enacted a monthly wireless 9-1-1 surcharge of 70 cents per cellular phone per month, in 1992. The funding was directed to the State Police to finance the system of handling  9-1-1 wireless phone calls. The surcharge was increased to $1.20 per telephone per month in 2002.

“The vast majority of the funds were never used for 9-1-1 system development,” said Jaquish. “The fact is that only 7 percent of the wireless surcharge money collected has reached the local counties to fund 9-1-1 wireless technology.”

Jaquish cited a 2003 report by the Office of the State Comptroller, which states that over $40 million of the wireless surcharge revenue is deposited in the General Fund,  $117 million is deposited in the State Public Safety Communications Account, and $52 million has been diverted to other agencies and accounts.

The Position Paper cites several other issues and makes several recommendations:

• The number of counties handling wireless calls at the 9-1-1 centers continues to increase.

• The use of “hard-line” phones will continue to decline, resulting in decreased revenue to counties, who are struggling to maintain current levels of equipment.

• The level of 9-1-1 services varies considerably from county to county across New York State.

• Funding allocations should also take into account increases in population due to factors such as seasonal homes, tourist attractions, and large spectator events.

• Continued decline in revenues will force increased property taxes across the state.

Jaquish said NENA’s position is fully supported by the NYS Sheriffs Association, NYS 9-1-1 Coordinators Association, NYS Association of Counties, NYS Association of Emergency Managers, NYS Association of Fire Chiefs, NYS Association of Fire Coordinators and NYS Association Chiefs of Police.

“Our organization, with its supporters, looks forward to working with members of the State Legislature in addressing this important issue,” he said.

For more information, or a copy of the “Position Paper Regarding the Equitable Distribution of 9-1-1 Access Surcharges,” contact Michael Allen, Secretary / Treasurer NENA at 315-349-8215.

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