Communications Classes

Click on the links below for course information and application forms for Incident Center Manager and Communications Leader

INCM Course Flyer Trussville                   COML Course FlyerTrussville

9-1-1 personnel operating mobile dispatch center at the 2021 Butterbean Festival in Pinson, Alabama

Picture on the left is law dispatch and fire dispatch on the right each position has our Tyler Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD), Voice Over IP telephone and a full Motorola radio console. The mobile command trailer and other Center Point Fire Department equipment was powered by our 65KW trailer generator.

We are very appreciative to the City of Homewood Fire Department for allowing the use of their mobile command trailer and to the City of Birmingham 9-1-1 for the use of the Motorola radio consoles.

We also established backup systems incase of a failure with mobile and portable radios, card system for the CAD and multiple cellular devices for telephone. Redundant power supply was available with several portable 8KW generators.

Our training division was onsite providing the public with knowledge about 9-1-1 education and job recruitment.

TRAINING

COMT APPLICATION                       INTD APPLICATION

RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING

EMPLOYEES’ STATUS AS FIRST RESPONDERS

 WHEREAS, the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc. employs the following personnel: Telecommunicator / call taker-dispatcher; Telecommunicator / lead; Telecommunicator / CTO; Telecommunicator / supervisor; Director / CEO; Deputy Director; Chief Administrator; Chief of Operations; Human Resource Manager; I.T. / GIS Manager; I.T. Support Specialist; Logistics Manager; Training Coordinator; and Quality Assurance Supervisor; and

WHEREAS, the above-identified personnel serve 24 hours a day, seven days a week, just the same as firefighters, law enforcement officers and emergency medical services workers; and

WHEREAS, the above-identified personnel make the same sacrifices in their personal lives as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and emergency medical services workers by leaving their families and the safety of their homes to handle the emergency 911 calls that save lives, protect property, and ensure the safety of our community and citizens during emergency events; and

WHEREAS, the above-identified personnel courageously answer, or provide critical and necessary services that enable the answering of, 911 emergency calls around-the-clock, many of which involve emergency medical dispatch and potentially lifesaving instructions including CPR, instructing callers on staying safe in the most difficult situations, and helping callers to safety during disasters all while simultaneously dispatching law enforcement, firefighters and emergency medical services to said emergency situations for the callers; and

WHEREAS, the above-identified personnel must handle the stress of answering hundreds of thousands of calls each year – all one right after another – often being the voice on the other end of the line as citizens experience one of the most difficult days of their lives, often hearing the overwhelming voices of devastation and cries for help, and often providing support as citizens begin to process the loss of a loved one – all the while transmitting information to emergency responders and monitoring their whereabouts in the field to keep them safe; and

WHEREAS, the above-identified personnel often suffer from PTSD, although they are not physically on the scene, by answering, or providing critical and necessary services that enable the answering of, multiple traumatic calls, banding successful radio incidents and communicating with people in distress, afraid or injured; and

WHEREAS, First Responder means a public safety employee whose duties include responding rapidly to an emergency or accident to provide assistance; and

           WHEREAS, the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc. recognize the above-identified personnel as First Responders, which unequivocally recognizes the work they do

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY:

RESOLVED, that from this day forward the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc. proclaims the following personnel have the status of “First Responders”: Telecommunicator / call taker-dispatcher; Telecommunicator / lead; Telecommunicator / CTO; Telecommunicator / supervisor; Director / CEO; Deputy Director; Chief Administrator; Chief of Operations; Human Resource Manager; I.T. / GIS Manager; I.T. Support Specialist; Logistics Manager; Training Coordinator; and Quality Assurance Supervisor.

AND FURTHER RESOLVED, the above-identified personnel comprise all employment classifications used by the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc. as of the date of this Resolution.  In the event the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc. adds additional employment classifications in the future, it is the intent of the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc. that all personnel employed in all such additional employment classifications shall have the status of “First Responders.”   

APPROVED THIS 18th DAY OF AUGUST, 2021, by the Board of Directors of the Jefferson County 911 Emergency Communications District, Inc.

 

 

 

Employment Opportunity for Information Technology Support Specialist

Jefferson County 9-1-1 ECD is currently hiring for an Information Technology Support Specialist and the closing date has been extended until October 31, 2020. Interested applicants, please submit a completed job application, cover letter/letter of interest, resume and (3) three references electronically to

odeni@jeffcoal911.org, or fax (205) 783-1715,

or hand deliver to 2659 Center Point Parkway Birmingham, Alabama 35215.

The qualified candidates will be notified with date and time of panel interviews.

2019 Ugly Sweater Contest

9-1-1: Call if You Can, Text if You Can’t

Voice Calls to 9-1-1 Are Still the Best and Fastest Way to Contact 9-1-1

 Jefferson County 9-1-1 announced November 4, 2019 that it has begun accepting text–to–9-1-1 service for its territory—Unincorporated areas of Jefferson County, Brighton, Brookside, Cardiff, Center Point, Clay, Fairfield, Fultondale, Graysville, Kimberly, Lipscomb, Maytown, Morris, Mulga, North Johns, Pinson, Sylvan Springs, Trafford, Trussville, Warrior and West Jefferson. Wireless customers can now send a text (up to 140 characters) to 9-1-1 in an emergency. Text to 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency situation, when placing a call is not possible: For instance, if the caller is deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired, or when speaking out loud would put the caller in danger.

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a call, remember these steps:

1. Don’t text and drive
2. In the first text message send the location and type of emergency.
3. Text in simple words – Send a short text message without abbreviations or slang.
4. Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call processor.

Don’t Abuse 9-1-1—Text-to-9-1-1 service is ONLY for emergencies.

1. It is a crime to text or call 9-1-1 with a false report. Prank-texters can be located.

The Text-to-9-1-1 service will have many challenges.

1. A text or data plan is required to place a Text-to-9-1-1
2. As with all text messages, messages to 9-1-1 may take longer to receive, may get out of order, or may not be received at all.
3. If you do not receive a text response from 9-1-1, try to contact 9-1-1 another way.
4. Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time.
5. Text-to-9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.

• Voice Calls to 9-1-1 Are Still the Best and Fastest Way To Contact 9-1-1

Remember, Text-to-9-1-1 service is not available everywhere in AL and the U.S.

 

 

Job Announcement:

Jefferson County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District is currently accepting applications for the position of Training Coordinator. Application, Job Description and Benefits package can be requested by emailing the Executive Assistant Inez Oden . If anyone has any questions, you may contact Executive Assistant Inez Oden at 205-783-1911 or Chief Operations Officer Lee Gaither at 205-783-1740. Applications and resumes must be received by close of business on Wednesday May 1, 2019.

Click the link below for more information

Job Announcement Training Coordinator

 

At our January board meeting, Greg Barnett received a letter of commendation for his dedication and personal sacrifice toward his colleagues, and overall commitment to teamwork.

 

 

At our January board meeting, Mike Kid, Blake Burns, Michael Talton and Sandy Raney received a resolution letter for their part in rescuing an abducted Jefferson County citizen on December 24, 2018.

 

 

 

2nd Annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest

Jefferson County 9-1-1 ECD hosted its annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest on October 31, 2018. The contest was open to all employees and each employee was allotted one entry. Employees were encouraged to be creative and utilize art, accessories, and carving creations. Director Howard Summerford served as the Contest Judge. The 1^st place winner of the 2018 Pumpkin Decorating Contest was IT Manager Scott Sharpton. The 2^nd place winner was Executive Assistant, Inez Oden.

 

Trussville Tribune October 18, 2018

Trussville resident selected for Leadership Achievement Award by the National Emergency Number Association

Posted by: Shaun Szkolnik Posted date: October 18, 2018

ORANGE BEACH — The Alabama chapter of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) has honored Director Howard Summerford, of Jefferson County 9-1-1, by naming him the winner this year’s “Leadership Achievement Award”. Summerford is a Trussville resident.

Photo courtesy of the National Emergency Number Association

The honor was announced at the NENA annual conference, on Wednesday, in Orange Beach, Alabama.

The President of Alabama NENA, Charlie McNichol, said, “Director Summerford has worked hard to produce positive changes in 9-1-1 service for Jefferson County, this award is well deserved”.

Jefferson County 9-1-1 serves all incorporated areas and nineteen cities within Jefferson County. Approximately 485,000 calls are handled each year by a staff of 58 full-time and 12 part-time employees.

The National emergency Number Association is a national organization dedicated to improving 9-1-1 service through technology and training.

 

 

Certified Emergency Communication District Administrators (CECA).

We are proud to announce that Jefferson County 9-1-1 now has four Certified Emergency Communication District Administrators (CECA). This certification requires participants to successfully complete seven, twelve-hour courses (84 Total Hours) in subjects such as ethics, personnel management, finance, accounting, management, supervision, and others.

 

 

                   

National Night Out 2017

Jefferson County 9-1-1 enjoyed participating in the 34th Annual “National Night Out” event in Center Point August 1, 2017.   Tours of the Consolidated 9-1-1 Emergency Dispatch Center were provided to the public.

National Night Out is an effort focused on creating a partnership between neighborhoods and law enforcement to enhance safety and crime prevention. Visit the “National Night Out” website at http://www.nationalnightout.org  for information about this nationwide program bringing communities and law enforcement together across the country.

 

 

 

9-1-1 Board recognizes Dispatcher

Michael Kidd for outstanding performance during a critical call.  A letter of Commendation and a resolution honoring his service was presented to him at the February 8, 2017 board meeting.

 

 

Jefferson County 9-1-1 Dispatcher Named BREMSS “Dispatcher of the Year”

Sharon Belcher was recently named “Emergency Medical Dispatcher of the Year” for 2016 by the Birmingham Regional Emergency Medical Services System (BREMSS).  Sharon is one of the Sheriff’s Office employees who transitioned to Jefferson County 9-1-1 during the consolidation last year.

On the evening of August 21, 2016 she answered one of the most difficult calls to take.  It was a call from a mother stating her 1 month old infant was not breathing.  Sharon quickly and calmly walked the mother through CPR and within seconds the infant started crying and breathing again.  Sharon’s quick action, calm demeanor and well developed skills walked that young mother through good CPR and that baby’s life was saved.  Steven Webb, Chief Operations Officer is pictured with Sharon accepting the award.

 

Center Point Fire announces ISO Community Fire Protection Classification

                             

Trussville Tribune Article Dedicates New 9-1-1 Center

WIAT 42 NEWS 9-1-1 Center Opens in Center Point

 

 

 

New 911 system to connect Jefferson County fire departments

New 9-1-1 Center in Jefferson County to reduce response times

                  

 

For further information contact:

Howard Summerford, Director

Email at SummerfordH@JeffCoAL911.org

Call at 205-783-1911