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Improvements, training, and public education are some of the reasons cited in the state report

 (Laredo, TX )  Risk for 9-1-1 means call failure. Failure that an emergency call will not get through or that an address is not located.  For a 9-1-1 administration, the lower the risk assessment, the greater probability of 9-1-1 emergency call success and vice versa; the higher the risk, the greater the chance of failure when dialing 9-1-1.

 When the City of Laredo first received the 9-1-1 regional administration program in 2005, which included the area of not only Webb County, but also, Jim Hogg County, Starr County and Zapata County, it was considered high risk.  Equipment needed replacing, addressing databases were not up to par, and call takers lacked training were just some of the issues that had to be addressed.

 Just recently, the Commission on State Emergency Communications (CSEC) concluded its review of the 9-1-1 Program Activities for the City of Laredo 9-1-1 Regional Administration.  The Regional Planning Commission Compliance Assessment has identified that the City of Laredo South Texas Region is once again Low Risk.  The Final Compliance Assessment was approved by the CSEC Commissioners on August 2, 2012.

 “This report by the Commission on State Emergency Communications about the City of Laredo 9-1-1 Regional Administration reflects the continued professionalism and dedicated public service demonstrated by City of Laredo employees in carrying this responsibility for the well-being of the community and surrounding area,” said City of Laredo Mayor Raul G. Salinas.  “I applaud our City of Laredo staff for doing such a great job.”

 The following criterion was considered when reviewing the 9-1-1 Program performance:

·         100% of PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) are receiving wireless ANI (Automatic Number Identification) level of service (Phase I)

·         100% of PSAPs are receiving wireless ALI (Automatic Location Identification) level of service (Phase II)

·         Distribution of Public Education items.

·         Equipment replacement.

·         The average number of telephone numbers (TNs) in error in the 9-1-1 database.

·         The average number of fictitious TNs.

·         The total percentage of No Record Found (NRF) ALI bids.

·         Annual local monitoring at each PSAP in the region.

·         TTY training offered in region.

·         Regional Planning Commission findings related to quarterly performance report validation.

·         Administration budget expended.

·         Program budget expended.

 “CSEC reviewed and monitored our activities in the implementation and provision of the 9-1-1 services,” said Juan Ramos, City of Laredo 9-1-1 Program Manager.  “Every year, they check the strengthening of our 9-1-1 system, and we need to make sure that all the activities, reports, documentations, information and staff, are according to and in compliance with all state rules and regulations.” 

 Jessica L. Newsome, Communications and Administrative Services Manager added, “The low-risk assessment for our 9-1-1 Regional Administration program is very rewarding because it means that whenever anyone in the four-county area calls 9-1-1, they will be provided successful 9-1-1 service. That’s our goal.”

 For more information or to view the report online, visit www.cityoflaredo.com.