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GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
New 9-1-1 Board executive director offers update on reform
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mplementing new laws passed by the legislature can be in Arkansas, and I am appreciative of difficult. However, partners make it a lot easier. Many their trust in me to lead 9-1-1 into people were involved in passing the 9-1-1 reform bill the future. I look forward to not in 2019, but one OEM director was especially in- only working with the board, but Josh Curtis volved. C.J. Engle attended meetings, testified in committee, also with all of those within the 9-1Governmental Affairs and provided research and expertise on the nuts and bolts of 1 community. Having those existing Director 9-1-1 systems. His leadership among his peers played a big relationships and developing new factor in the success the counties had passing the Public Safety ones with leaders in the local 9-1-1 Act of 2019. C.J. was in line to be appointed to the newly cre- community will provide a broader perspective and benefit to ated 9-1-1 Board by Gov. Asa Hutchinson, but his life took a the decisions the board will be responsible for over the next turn. He was offered a job by Southwest Airlines. He took the several years. job in Dallas, but the pandemic caused the airlines to suffer. As we have initiated several key responsibilities of the board, C.J. began to wonthere are already sevder what his future eral positive results looked like. The Arfrom Act 660. One kansas 9-1-1 Board of those being the was looking for a increased funding ct 660, The Public Safety Act of 2019, is the founnew executive direcfor 9-1-1. Funding tor, and he applied. has been a major dedation for the state, and it is vital that our prelimi“When C. J’s. resume ficiency within the nary work effectively sets the tone for the projects at hand. was forwarded to the industry for years, board, several membut with the increase bers were excited of wireless, voice about his interest due over IP, and prepaid to being familiar with charges, we have seen his work in the state,” said Greene County Judge Rusty Mc- a substantial reduction in the amount of local tax dollars that Millon and 9-1-1 board member. “We were confident that he counties and cities are subsidizing for emergency communihad the background knowledge of Arkansas’ 9-1-1 struggles cations. As a matter of fact, we can expect to see nearly $45 and the poise to navigate the challenges in front of us. Having million distributed in 2020, up from just over $20 million in worked with him on 9-1-1 legislation and being familiar with 2019. Another positive outcome from Act 660 is the creation his partnership with my emergency manager, I knew we had of the Arkansas 9-1-1 Board. This state level entity with repthe right person for this position.” resentatives from across state government, local government, C.J. and the 9-1-1 board are the partners that will help and the public safety sector will allow for further standardizacounties navigate the complex issues that derive from 9-1-1. tion and advances in 9-1-1 services across Arkansas. Let’s hear directly from the new Arkansas 9-1-1 Board execuAs part of The Public Safety Act of 2019, the board is retive director: quired to oversee several developments to deliver the best public safety communications and services possible to our citizens It is an honor to have the opportunity to return home and and first responders. One of those key ventures is to develop get back to work with the 9-1-1 community. The past two a Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) system. With constant months have been a whirlwind as we have hit the ground run- improvement and advancements of digital technology, emerning with key projects of the Arkansas 9-1-1 Board. Act 660, gency services in Arkansas and much of the nation have been The Public Safety Act of 2019, is the foundation for the state, left behind. While the public’s expectations continue to rise and it is vital that our preliminary work effectively sets the for a 21st-century emergency response, many of our systems tone for the projects at hand. The Arkansas 9-1-1 Board has and models are trapped in the 20th century. Our public safety 12 members that truly care about emergency communications answering points (PSAPs) still utilize legacy 9-1-1 copper line
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