Agenda Information Sheet
DEPARTMENT: Fire
CM/ ACM: John Cabrales
Date: October 18, 2016
SUBJECT
Title
Consider adoption of an ordinance of the City of Denton, Texas authorizing the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into an Interlocal Agreement with the Denco Area 9-1-1 District (Denco) for providing a 911 database and related services for the benefit of the citizens of the City of Denton and providing an effective date.
Body
BACKGROUND
The City of Denton maintains and operates an emergency notification system used to notify Denton residents and businesses of emergency situations. The current system, CodeRed, integrates mapping technology with phone and email databases comprised of publicly available data from white pages and yellow pages, as well as information gathered from citizens voluntarily subscribing to the system. The voluntary subscription, or citizen opt-in, is free of charge and is used primarily for cell phones.
Evolving methods of communication coupled with the City’s continued development and growth pose unique challenges in maintaining an accurate and effective notification system. Both impact the ability to keep current database information updated and the capacity for adding new information. The database of contact information directly ties to the number of residents that can be reached with emergency notifications.
As a public safety support service, Denco Area 9-1-1 District develops, deploys, and maintains the addressing grid and response assignments for Denton County first responders. Denco uses advanced geographic information systems that go beyond traditional mapping to create a robust profile based on multiple data sources to process the addition of new streets and block ranges and make updates to existing streets and block ranges.
Through an interlocal agreement, Denco will provide public safety entities the 9-1-1 contact information and location database for use in emergency notification systems. The data extract, along with periodic updates, will be at no cost. The data is for landline phones only and does not include nomadic VoIP or wireless customer records. It will remain important for residents and businesses to register their mobile phone number via the opt-in registration available online.
The addition of Denco’s 9-1-1 contact database will help to further enhance the accuracy and reach of the emergency notification system.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the adoption of the proposed ordinance and agreement.
FISCAL INFORMATION
There is no cost for the exchange of database information.
STRATEGIC PLAN RELATIONSHIP
The City of Denton’s Strategic Plan is an action-oriented road map that will help the City achieve its vision. The foundation for the plan is the five long-term Key Focus Areas (KFA): Organizational Excellence; Public Infrastructure; Economic Development; Safe, Livable, and Family-Friendly Community; and Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship. While individual items may support multiple KFAs, this specific City Council agenda item contributes most directly to the following KFA and goal:
Related Key Focus Area: Safe, Liveable & Family-Friendly Community
Related Goal: 4.1 Enhance public safety in the community
EXHIBITS
Exhibit 1 Interlocal Agreement
Exhibit 2 Ordinance
Respectfully submitted:
Robin Paulsgrove
Fire Chief
Prepared by:
Laura Behrens
Fire Marshal