ECB MONTHLY MARCH 2021: MAGAZINE FEATURING MEMPHIS POLICE 911 PROFESSIONALS

MARCH 2021

ECB MONTHLY

Official publication of the MPD Emergency Communications Bureau

Inside this issue: Exclusive with MPD Director Michael Rallings: Celebrating 31 years of service to the Memphis Police Dept.

In-Depth coverage of the February snow storm.

MPD & ECB

Stamina Through the Storm

MEMPHIS POLICE DEPARTMENT

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS BUREAU

ABOUT US We are one of the busiest 9-1-1 centers in the country.

We receive over 630,000 9-1-1 calls and more than 500,000 non-emergency calls each year.

ECB Monthly Mission This front-line led publication seeks to

The MPD Emergency Communications Bureau

inspire and motivate ECB telecommunicators by highlighting employee accomplishments.

(ECB) is the primary Public Safety Answering Point

The selected stories and content are

(PSAP) for the City of

shared with the intent to disseminate

Memphis; and the only provider of Law Enforcement

useful information about the Bureau, Memphis Police Department and the 9-1-1 industry as a whole.

dispatch services for the Memphis Police Department.

Furthermore, we aspire to increase transparency and communication

In 2018, the ECB met the national standard by answering 95.4% of our 9-1-1 calls in less than 20 seconds.

michael spencer emergency communications administrator michael w. rallings director of police services

between management and the floor; and improve overall employee morale.

MARCH 2021

13

ISSUE EIGHT

IN THIS ISSUE SNOWPOCALYPSE 2021 Complete snowstorm coverage

18

begins on page 28

SERVICE CELEBRATION After 31 years of service, MPD Director Rallings plans to retire next month.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS Dispatcher Amber Starks shares her weight loss story. page 18

DISTRICT UPDATES Raymond Chiozza provides an overview of the 2021 plans for the Shelby County 911 DIstrict. page 22

28

MANTRA CONTEST WINNERS Charlie Shift dispatcher Victoria

56

Bllingsley places first in the Mantra contest. page 21

ECB MONTHLY TEAM Mike Spencer, Chief Administrator

STAPLES 04 From the Administrator's Desk

08 MFD History Moment

Deranceque Rogers, Editor-in-Chief Erica May, Editor

10 Employee of the Month

43 Shift by Shift

48 Letter from the Editor

Sam Stamper, Contributor

MARCH 2021 | FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR'S DESK

MIKE'S MESSAGE MICHAEL SPENCER

EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR

A Lot to Unpack OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED. That was the statement to sum up the last half of February. I don’t think I can say thank you enough to everyone. Thank you to my Team, Co-workers, Officers, Police Administration, staff, OEM, Special Ops, LaQuinta Inn and many others. Everyone stepped up and exceeded expectations. I have attended or watched multiple Management seminars and there is always an underlying message: Work the problem that is holding your staff back. Sometimes it is challenging to identify those roadblocks. The challenge of the snowstorm was simple: help get people to work. It was easy to identify the problem, but the solution took a lot of planning and coordination. We always say we shine in the most challenging hours and that week was no exception. So again, thank you for showing up, recognizing the challenges and meeting them head on.

It could have been worse, just look at Texas.

"Hearing non-public safety people talk about being

MICHAEL SPENCER, ENP, CMCP "Director Rallings and Director Chiozza are my mentors. Both of them have unselfishly given so much of their time and energy to public safety. They are heroes."

- Mike Spencer

tired of being at home all week is "borderline offensive."😊

I can unequivocally and without hesitation say that both of these men are mentors to me. I enjoyed reading their articles

That is exactly where every one one of us, our

and I know you will as well. Both of them have unselfishly

officers, firefighters and paramedics would have liked

given so much of their time and energy to public safety. They

to have been. Instead, we were at work, answering

are heroes. Never forget that someone has paved the way

the phones, radios and getting help to those in need.

for each of us. I have been very lucky to spend time with and

Call volume did not slow down and our group still managed to do a fantastic job under less than optimal circumstances. We are still unpacking all of the challenges, but we have developed a pretty good list of wants and needs that will make the next snowstorm or natural disaster less impactful.

learn from them. Because of them I am lucky enough to do something I am passionate about for a living. Their support and encouragement allowed us to climb out of the hole we were in seven years ago, and put us on a path to being one of the best 9-1-1 Centers in the country. Both Director Rallings and Director Chiozza have challenged me and I am grateful for the opportunities I have had working with them.

With Director Rallings' retirement on the horizon, I wish him a well deserved rest and invite him to stop by This is a special issue because both Director Rallings

whenever he wants to visit. We will keep the light on for

and Director Chiozza were interviewed.

you and never deactivate your access card.

From the Administrator's Desk: Mike's Message

NG911 DEVELOPMENTS You guys know that I can't write an article without

Lastly, I passed my Emergency Number Professional

mentioning some new project. This one was behind

(ENP) exam last Month. Hats off to all of you that have

the scenes, but still very important. At the end of

already received that certification. It was more

February we completed our cutover to the AT&T

challenging than I expected and I felt like I had an

Nationwide ESInet. This is the State of Tennessee’s

advantage because of the technical projects I have

second Next Generation(NG) 9-1-1 network

been involved in. It covers a lot of information, but I

deployment. We were already on the legacy IP

encourage each of you to sign up for an online study

network but the state changed vendors and went with

group and see if some part of it piques your interests.

a solution that many other states have chosen.

There is a study guide and I will loan mine out if someone wants to borrow it. You will have a much

One of the goals of NG9-1-1 is a seamless nationwide

better understanding of how a PSAP works from top to

9-1-1 system. In the future we hope that we will be

bottom and if you didn’t know, you guys get a bonus

able to transfer to any 9-1-1 Center in the country.

each year for obtaining the certification. It is worth it

There are logistical challenges, but getting everyone

and it will make you a more knowledgeable

onto the same network could potentially provide more

telecommunicator.

redundancy, failover and back-up options. This was important to me because in 2018-2019, I spent time in Washington in a working group contributing to a whitepaper published by the FCC discussing the need to move to Statewide and Regional 9-1-1 IP networks. https://www.911.gov/pdf/NG911_Roadmap_Final.pdf Being able to come out of that working group and then play a part of the migration for the City of Memphis is great. We tested it last week. Maybe you haven’t noticed, but we now have almost all of the

ENP Exam Concepts Next Generation 911 (also called " i3 ") starts with an ESInet (Emergency Services IP network). This is an IP network that connects to one or more PSAPS.

West TN Counties in our 9-1-1 transfer folder.

Chances are that we won't use them much, but Memphis is the wireless misroute default for West TN. That means if someone’s call can't be routed to the correct PSAP, it will come to us. If they are in Weakley County, we can now transfer that call over to them.

We are developing the training material to explain those scenarios, but it is pretty straight forward. One day we may have multiple states, that drill down to counties, that drill down to cities.

ICI, Motorola, Intrado, AT&T and Carlton Ray at Shelby County 9-1-1 did a great job on the cutover.

What is a whitepaper?

A whitepaper is an informational document usually issued by a company or not-for-profit organization to promote or highlight the features of a solution, product, or service that it offers or plans to offer.

Whitepapers are also used as a method of presenting government policies and legislation and gauging public reaction. source: investopedia

MARCH 2021

SHELBY COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERS

RAYMOND CHIOZZA DIRECTOR SHELBY COUNTY 911

MICHAEL SPENCER EMERGENCY ADMIN

History Moment: 8-9 Shelby County Updates: 22-23

Mike's Minute: 4 Mike & Mike: 16 Thank You 40 Leader's Report 42

Editor's Note: This issue features tons of content with our public safety leaders.

An index is provided below to help you find their features.

MICHAEL RALLINGS MPD DIRECTOR Up Close: 14-17 Career Memories: 24-27

National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week

APCO Contest: Who Is YOUR Public Safety Superhero?

It’s been a tough year, and we know that all of you are superheroes, but now we want to know who inspires you in or out of the ECB? Maybe it’s the person who was there for you when you needed it most. Or the one who taught you something you thought you could never learn. Tell us about the person (or persons) who somehow gets it all done with patience, compassion, and a smile on their face. Or perhaps there’s a 9-1-1 caller that followed your instructions and saved a life. Maybe there’s a whole team that created a program that made your life in the ECB better. Do you think YOU are a superhero? Go ahead and nominate yourself. To learn more about the contest and how to submit an entry, visit npstw.org/superheroes. The deadline is April 19, 2021.

Take Action and Support your Superhero!

MARCH 2021 | ISSUE EIGHT

MFD HISTORY MOMENT Raymond Chiozza The Day Elvis Died Written by Raymond Chiozza The call for an ambulance to the Graceland Mansion was received by the Memphis Fire Department's Fire Alarm Office at 2:33 p.m. on August 16, 1977. I was 22 years old and had just over three years on with the Memphis Fire Department.

I was assigned to the 3-11 shift. The actual work hours were 2:25 p.m. to 10:25 p.m. I had just relived the person on the previous shift and took over working the Vocal Alarm position. The Vocal Alarm was essentially dispatching -we dispatched the fire fighters and EMS personnel from the fire stations to the address of the emergencies.

RAYMOND CHIOZZA

During this time period, several of us were making

Raymond Chiozza is the Director of

recordings to use for training purposes. We also had an interest in recording major "fire" events at the time to document history. We were able to receive permission from the Chief of the Bureau to record emergency calls and incidents.

Shelby County 9-1-1 District. He started his public safety career in 1974 as an Operator with the Memphis Fire Department. He was a part of the work crew that

The death of Elvis Presley immediately became

dispatched the ambulance to the

world-wide news. Since I was at work during the time

home of global icon and singer

of his death and experienced the frenzy first hand, I

Elvis Presley, the night he died.

later decided to make a recording of the call and document events that occurred that day.

THE AFTERMATH The

original

recording

was

made

on

a

It took less than thirty minutes for word to

Dictaphone 24-hour reel to reel tape machine

leak out. Local on-air news reporter Steve

used in public safety at the time. We used our

Thomas was the first to call; attempting to

personal cassette recorder to dupe off the

confirm the information he had obtained. The

tapes through headphone jacks plugged into

Memphis Fire Department Fire Alarm Office

the Dictaphone machine and cassette recorder.

was not ready for what was about to occur. The

The audio is fairly good considering this was

Fire Alarm Office was inundated with calls

more than forty years ago.

from citizens, reporters, radio and TV stations all over the world. They were on the air live trying to verify the news and conduct on-air

The recording starts off with the call-taker

interviews. They tried everything you can

answering the Fire Department line saying,

imagine to get the Fire Alarm Office to connect

“Fire Department”. Joe Esposito identifies

them to FireStation #29 on Elvis Presley

himself and states they have a party turning

Boulevard

blue in an upstairs bathroom at Graceland. An

stationed.

where

ambulance

Unit

6

was

address is obtained and then the recording of when the ambulance was dispatched over the

We only had two switchboards in 1977 and the

Vocalarm.

call

takers

were

flooded

with

calls.

The

emergency lines and business lines (we did not have 9-1-1 back then) that rang into the You can hear the radio traffic of when Unit 6

Memphis

(the ambulance) advises that they have arrived

were all tied up and busy. The Memphis Fire

on the

Fire

Department

dispatch

office

scene; and radio traffic of when the

Department call-takers started transferring

Memphis Fire Department ambulance (Unit 6)

the news reporters and people who wanted to

advises that they are transporting to Baptist

know if the reports of Elvis' death were true to

Hospital Midtown. Back then we referred to it

any available person who could talk so the

as Hospital Number Two.

emergency

The EMS workers

lines

would

remain

open

for

also state they have a full arrest, and there is a

citizens of Memphis who may have had a real

doctor on board with them (Doctor Nick).

emergency.

I remember specifically hearing

radio stations from New York City, The British Broadcasting Company (BBC) and hundreds of The audio continues and several conversations

others, all calling in to the Memphis Fire

can be heard. One is from a Memphis Fire

Department.

Department Lieutenant who was also an EMS supervisor. He calls the Memphis Fire Watch Commander and states the patient transported

At one point I called my sister, who had tickets

by Unit 6 is DOA and asks, 'Do you know who

to an upcoming Elvis concert at the Mid-South

it is?" The Watch Commander asks, " Who is

Coliseum. I told her that she would not be

it, is it him?" The Unit Supervisor responds,

going to the Elvis concert. She asked me, "Why

"Yes, it is him and he is dead".

not"? I told her that he had died and she did not believe it.

Graceland was declared a National Historical Landmark in 2006. It is the second most visited home in the United States after The White House. More than 600,000 tourists visit Graceland each year. The estimated economic impact to the city of Memphis is more than $150 million dollars annually.

source:https://www.graceland.com/about-graceland

MARCH. 2021 • ISSUE EIGHT

TOMECA DOTY Dispatcher of the month

PRD Tomeca Doty has worked in Communications for twelve years. She enjoys helping the citizens of Memphis. Tomeca is married with two children and enjoys decorating and crafting.

THREE QUESTIONS with the Dispatcher of the Month

What is the most challenging aspect of the job?

Not having closure sometimes can be difficult for me. Some calls affect me more than officers. I would really like to know for sure that the actions I took made a difference.

What advice would you give a newer employee that seeks to be successful in this role?

Listen to your trainer.

Study. Have an open mind.

Always be willing to learn.

If you could change one thing about our job what would it be?

Some events have stuck with me, like shootings that took place at malls and schools. I was here when an officer was fatally shot at a hotel. Just recently three armed males ran into a college building. I think Communications could benefit from having the blue prints or diagrams of heavily populated buildings likecolleges, schools, malls and hotels. I'm not sure what it would take for us to have that as a resource, but I would like to see it happen.

DISPATCHER OF THE MONTH CONTINUED

PRD Tomeca Doty

In January 2021, Tomeca Doty answered 706 calls and 91% of those calls were answered within 20 seconds. PRD Doty has a positive attitude, is always punctual and displays dedication to our Bureau as a whole. In addition to serving on the hospitality committee, she is always willing to take on even more tasks when asked by supervisors.

We on Bravo shift were proud to nominate her and ecstatic she was selected for the award. ~SPRD Lorna Griggs, Supervisor

PRD Doty is the organizer of "Food Truck Fridays."

CREATED BY VICTORIA BILLINGSLEY

AMPED UP I am an MPD dispatcher. I am essential.

I do great things for my City.

I Answer the call I Make the decision I Provide exceptional service I Exceed expectations I Deliver and respond with a Universal understanding of Priority.

#WeAreAmpedUp

DIRECTOR RALLINGS TO DISPATCHERS

Dispatchers are our Lifeline

You are Valued "Ever since I was a Deputy Chief, I have tried to be visible in Communications in order to build relationships with dispatchers and let them know that they are valued. I enjoyed visiting the floor and giving out hugs (pre-COVID, of course.) I understand dispatchers are critical to the success of keeping our officers safe."

"One day I looked at our dispatcher's uniform and wondered, Why do our dispatchers not have an MPD badge? That's when I came up with the idea to get our dispatchers badges.

Sean (Lovejoy) came up with the design and I made sure I was available to present them myself."

ECB MONTHLY EXCLUSIVE

UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH THE POLICE DIRECTOR Michael Wayne Rallings

LOVES MEMPHIS " Memphis is home. This is where my roots are and my family is.

There is so much history here with the Civil Rights Movement. One of the highlights of my term as director is being able to celebrate MLK50 safely and honor the 1968 Sanitation Strikers."

FIRST CONCERT Rick James at the Mid-South Coliseum : 12-13 years old FAVORITE RESTAURANT Bonefish Grill : His favorite meal is the lobster with jasmine rice and broccoli for sides. Don't forget the martini.

" GOD HAS BLESSED ME" - M. RALLINGS HEALTHY HOBBIES

"I don't have any planned endeavors. I am going to relax. I'm going back to school to finish my degree and decide if I want to continue my education further. I'll be spending my time with my grandchildren, Kyle, 10, and Lauren 3."

SPORTS Not a big sports fan but Cheers for the home teams: Memphis Grizzlies, U of M Tigers, and Tennessee Titans

MARCH 2021

RETIREMENT PLANS

Director Rallings enjoys entering firearm shooting competitions and has won several awards. He also enjoys fishing, kayaking and riding his bicycle.

Top Cop: Wealthy in Wisdom Who are your mentors?

Some of my mentors throughout the years have been: Previous police directors Godwin and Armstrong Retired Deputy Directors Don Boyd and Janis Pilot.

My cousin, Laquita Rallings, who also works for MPD is someone I look up to Pastor Keith Norman at First Baptist Broad.

What advice would you give the next police director?

1. Take up the wise counsel of others.

2. Tune out the noise.

3. Lead with character, compassion and competence.

What has helped you have success in your career?

I depend heavily on my faith. I am just a man. I know I can only do what God allows me to do.

My command staff is a great support system.

Military experience has prepared me to lead.

I've been mentored by and served under previous police directors Toney Armstrong and Larry Godwin. Watching them has helped me anticipate and navigate the demands of this role.

Last but certainly not least, I have a great boss.

Work is easier when you have a good relationship with your boss. Mayor Jim Strickland allows me to lead the police department. He backs me up and lets me know I have his support.

I had one foot out the door. I was getting ready to retire when I was named police director. So I know being able to serve in this role is a blessing from God.

MARCH 2021| ISSUE EIGHT

2019 Director's Award Recipient: Mike Spencer Director Rallings has nothing but praise for Administrator Michael Spencer and his leadership in relocating Communications to the renovated space on Flicker.

Mike & Mike

"Our 911 Director Mike Spencer is such a great asset to MPD. Our previous facility at 201 Poplar was a dump. He got the ball moving on the 911 center renovation. For him to have the vision and foresight to solicit the funds from Shelby County 911 was needed. That is even what kickstarted the Fire side to be renovated too. We went from having long call answer times to now meeting and beating the standard. Additionally under his watch we have implemented Text to 911 and increased our staff to include part timers. On top of all that he always has a positive attitude. I enjoy working with him and can't say enough good things about him." - Director Michael Rallings

DIRECTOR RALLINGS TO 2640

The supervisors are good with updates. I've called Communications numerous times during my career. I don't remember a time where I did not get the information I needed. Director Rallings

HEALTH & WELLNESS

WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY SPARKS A MENTAL & PHYSICAL BOOST FOR DISPATCHER

After years of dieting attempts, Dispatcher Amber Starks decided to undergo weight loss surgery. Since having the surgery in November 2020, she has lost more than one hundred and fifty pounds. Amber describes the results as " life-changing" and "one of the best decisions I've ever made."

FEATURE | PAGE 18

IN HER OWN WORDS

What specific procedure did you have?

Gastric Sleeve I had the Gastric Sleeve. It’s basically when they go in and take 75 to 80% of your stomach out. Yes, they remove it and NO, they can’t put it back. LOL Surgery just seemed like the tool I needed to get where I wanted to be in life. I knew it’d push me in the positive direction I was ready for.

How much did the surgery cost?

Our insurance, as far as surgery, was amazing! BCBS of TN covered 90% of surgery costs. Surgery totaled right around $22,000. I was responsible for $2200 of that.

I also paid a co-pay of $30 for office visits and maybe also less than $1000 for a psych visit, a visit with a nutritionist and other misc fees. I was very fortunate that it wasn’t as expensive as I anticipated.

What methods did you try in the past ?

I’ve tried EVERYTHING. Initially I tried Keto. I lost some weight but the side effects for me were terrible and caused me to miss work. It was horrible. I’ve done that two different times. I tried simply eating better. I skipped out of work food runs and fast food overall but could never stay consistent. Finally, I’ve tried a low carb diet with some exercising. Nope that didn’t work either.

Continue reading at next page >

PRE-OP Pre-surgery started a week before. The bulk of preparation was mental. I threw everything unhealthy in my kitchen away. Surgery wise, the day before I had to drink a full bottle of Magnesium Citrate to clean me out. That was horrible, but it cleaned me out for sure. I could only have clear liquids too. So I ate Miso Soup and drank water most of the day. I also had to take a bath with some pre-surgery soap to clean my stomach and to prepare the surgery site. I had to do this during my nightly bath and then again two hours before I checked in at the hospital.

SURGERY DAY Surgery was surprisingly quick. I arrived at the hospital at 5AM and had completed check-in by 6AM. Both my surgeon and anesthesiologist came to speak with me --just to make sure I was ready. Of course I was. They then rolled me back and gave me some sleeping gas. The last thing I heard was a song by The Temptations and I was out. I felt like I was asleep for five minutes. Realistically surgery took maybe 1 ½ to 2 hours.

They woke me up and rolled me to a post-surgery area where I was out of it. I was begging the nurse to let me stand up, which was impossible. Shortly after, I was in my room and the pain began.

During surgery, my stomach was pumped with air to get a better view of my organs. That air turns into gas. The gas is somewhat trapped.

So imagine that times ten. The only way it can be released is if you walk around. We were required to do a total of twenty five laps around the hospital to release the gas.

Another uncomfortable directive I received was to sit straight up in a chair until bedtime. The first day, I sat in the chair from 9AM to 9PM. Sleeping was painful. The nurse came in on discharge day and made me sit again. This time I sat from 5AM until about 3 PM.

The Inside Scoop

A. Starks

Health & Wellness

I’m amazed at with my results. My starting weight was 489. I am down to 338 pounds. Even though I still have a long way to go, I’m very appreciative and grateful for my journey, thus far.

Before I took the plunge, I did a lot of research. I actually obsessed over it. I joined Facebook

My life has changed drastically-- for the better. I

groups, asked millions of questions and called

can do so much more. I can’t express that

bariatric offices to see which procedure would fit

enough. Mentally things are easier. Things as

me best. I needed to be sure that I was making the

simple as riding an airplane used to stress me out!

best decision for me and my life. My family was

Now, I will fly every month if I can find some

onboard, except my father. He had some really

swaps. Physically, I can find clothes easier. All

good friends who ended up with major health

around, this surgery, was probably the best

issues as a result of surgery. But after I showed

decision I’ve ever made in my life. - Amber Starks

him I was serious, as always, he gave his support too.

Following surgery, I was out of work for more than five weeks. I received a lot of help and guidance from Roz ( Rosalind Phillips). She was excited for me and always updated me with my time to be sure that I would be compensated while I was out.

I feel sooooo much better. At my heaviest, I had little to no energy. It was almost as if my body was 30 years older than what it actually was. I was lazy and just wasn’t motivated to do anything but try the newest Sushi or Brunch restaurant. Now I wake up earlier and fall asleep faster. I can walk longer, run faster and jump higher. Before, food consumed me. Now I feel like I have a deeper purpose in life.

I can walk longer, run faster, and jump higher. Before, food consumed me. Now, I feel like I have a deeper purpose in life."

- A. Starks

#AMPEDUP

Contest Results

When you recognize one of your co-workers answering the call to exceed expectations, doing great things for our city and our PSAP, tell us about it. We would love to feature them in our new "AMPED UP" segment.

The vote talley is as follows: Amped Up- 19 Be a Giver -12 Stay-7 Live for the City-3 Resilience- 2

First Place Winner Victoria Billingsley with some of her prizes.

SHELBY COUNTY 911 DISTRICT The mission of the Shelby County 9-1-1 District is to provide the residents of Shelby County, TN with an efficient emergency telephone number service. We carry out our mission by equipping the various emergency service providers (PSAPs) in Shelby County with the latest proven technology. This enables all the PSAPs that dispatch police, fire and ambulance with effective call answering equipment and training for call takers. We also educate the residents of

Raymond Chiozza Director A life-long Memphian, Raymond Chiozza has worked in public safety communications for 47 years. In 1974, at the age of 18, he was hired as a dispatcher (Operator 1) with the Memphis Fire Department.

Back then dispatchers worked on corded switchboards; a machine they plugged cords into to answer and connect parties to an extension. He rose through the MFD ranks and was named Chief of Fire Communications in 1992. In 2000, Raymond retired from the Memphis Fire Department to accept the Executive Director position for the Shelby County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District. He can be found around town photographing fires, public safety events and Memphis Tigers games- integrating his passion for Memphis, public safety and photography.

Shelby County on the proper use of the emergency telephone number service.

We provide all the call taking equipment at each of the six primary, two secondary and seven backup dispatch centers throughout Shelby County, along with base maps that are used in each agencies' Computer Aided Dispatching (CAD) systems.

In 2019 and 2020 we completed Text-to-9-1-1 capability for each PSAP in Shelby County. The Memphis Police and Fire PSAPs were the first in the State of Tennessee to implement Text-to-9-1-1.

Find My 911 Address A resource that more people can make use of is the tool Find My 911 Address. You can check out Shelby County 9-1-1 District’s map of all structures with address points for all of Shelby County. Every structure in Shelby County that has an address number is shown.

Feel free to zoom in, browse around, search for an address number & street and if you see any errors or something missing, let us know. Click on an address point (the address number) for additional information. This is useful for training purposes and learning split numbers etc. I have an icon on my cell phone and pull it up a lot to verify if an address number is valid or not.

This application is available on our website shelbycounty911.org under the GIS section.

2021

IN THE BUDGET The Shelby County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District has started plans to construct new PSAPs for the Bartlett Police, Germantown Police and the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office & Shelby County Fire Department. We also will finish converting a few offices into one training / roll call room in the Memphis Police “alternate” PSAP at 201 Poplar. Funding has been provided for a CAD system upgrade / replacement for the Bartlett Police PSAP. We are also providing funds to the Memphis Police for a CAD upgrade to a more cloud-based version.

Smart Transcription is a cloud-based service that can be enabled remotely and integrates with existing VESTA 9-1-1 or CallWorks CallStation call handling platforms. It takes the voice audio from a 9-1-1, non-emergency or administrative call and transcribes it in real-time into a searchable text transcript.

This provides a comprehensive way to verify caller information, monitor calls in real-time and store transcripts in CommandCentral Vault for post-call analysis, as well as to maintain the chain of custody of evidence.

Citizen Input integrates with existing VESTA 9-1-1 and CallWorks CallStation call handling platforms. It is a cloud-based service that allows citizens to send live streaming video, photographs and recordings to the PSAP in a controlled, permission-based procedure. The media can optionally be viewed as it is received and is stored in CommandCentral Vault for post-call analysis, as well as to maintain the chain of custody of evidence. The service can be implemented remotely.

Both of these products were purchased and ordered this past December for all our PSAPs in Shelby County and will be installed in the next several months.

Celebrating

Director of Police Services City of Memphis Michael W. Rallings

31 YEARS OF SERVICE

"I feel very blessed to be able to serve in this capacity. In my career, the good times heavily outweigh the bad times and for that I am thankful."

- Michael Rallings Throughout his 31 years of service, Director Michael Rallings has worked in the Organized Crime Unit, the North Precinct, East Precinct, Central Precinct, South Precinct, Firearms Training Unit, General Investigations Bureau,

On February 12, 1990, Michael W. Rallings joined the Memphis Police Academy. Upon graduating from the Academy, he served as a Patrolman and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1996; the rank of Lieutenant in 2001; the rank of Major in 2008; appointed to the rank of Colonel in 2009; and appointed to the rank of Deputy Chief in September 2009,

Felony Response Bureau, Fraud and Document Bureau, Entertainment District Unit, Training Academy, Mt. Moriah Station, and Executive Administration.

Director Rallings is a native Memphian who graduated from Wooddale High School, attended Memphis State University, earned an Associates

where he commanded Uniform Patrol Division

of Arts Degree from Shelby State Community

District II, the Special Operations Division, and

College and is a graduate of the 228th Session of

Uniform Patrol District I.

the FBI National Academy.

Mayor Jim Strickland appointed Deputy Chief

Director Rallings is also a retired 30-year

Michael Rallings as Interim Director of Police

Veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Army Reserve.

Services in February 2016 and Director of

The Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police

Police Services in August 2016.

named him the 2019 “Police Chief of the Year”.

MICHAEL W. RALLINGS

ECB MONTHLY | 22

MPD Memories We asked the Director to share with us some of his most memorable events during his tenure on the police department.

Child Abuse This was more than twenty years ago, when I was a patrol officer assigned to Raines Station. I responded to a house, where the grandmother had called about her grandson being abused. I can't remember if it was the mother's boyfriend or the mother that was actually responsible for the abuse. But what I will never forget is the image of the child's backside. He couldn't have been more than six years old and he had been severely beaten. His backside had new wounds and old wounds. It looked like what I imagine a slave beating would have been like. I remember the sadness in the child's eyes and the despair on the grandmother's face as well. I couldn't fathom who could do that to anyone, let alone a child.

Policing in a Pandemic Who else has had the role of police director in a pandemic? I entered into unchartered territory in 2020. I was in Ghana, Africa when it started to take steam. I barely made it back into the country.

My flight was the last flight allowed to leave. No flights left Ghana for the next ten days. In the beginning( March-April), when no one knew much about the virus, I was a part of the Coronavirus Task Force. We had meetings every single day.

We were writing policies and changing policies every single day. Then that was followed by the George Floyd killing, where we had protests for more than a month.

I-40 Bridge Shutdown Of course, I will always remember " The Bridge" incident. More than one thousand protestors gathered on the Memphis/Arkansas Bridge. That was a very tense moment. When I look back on it, I am thankful the protest concluded without arrest or injury.

FLASHBACK!

Above: Rallings, then a sergeant in 1997 photo credit: Zed Nelson Left: Officer Rallings 1992 MPD photo lab

2017 Retake

FROM THE FLOOR

A Personal Thank You Director Rallings, You, sir, are an outstanding example of what it means to be a real leader. I heard that you were made aware of the critical circumstances surrounding police dispatchers getting to and from work during our winter weather crisis.

Your response was "WHATEVER THEY NEED, MAKE IT HAPPEN" and the response to your directive was ROYAL!!

Our ECB Administrator, Mike Spencer and other Communications leaders, Lt. Halfacre, Lt. Mangrum, and our magnificent Motors and Tact squad showed up in a powerful way.

Seeing them lined up and ready to serve was an amazing sight.

I am especially grateful for their commitment and dedication to working countless hours to safely transport every shift of dispatchers to multiple locations. It was heart-warming to see some of the "Best In Blue" that we hear over the radio but never get to meet. We have finally been able to put a face to so many of the voices we hear on a daily basis and it was a pleasure to see their smiles. They repeatedly thanked us for the work that we do in Communications and were excited to be able to help us.

I've decided to give this most memorable experience a title and call it "MPD/ECB-Stamina Through the Storm".

I pray God's continuous blessing upon you as you continue to be a blessing to so many others.

Thank You, PRD Linda Hollingsworth

SNOWSTORM MEMO MEMO SUBMITTED TO MGMT BY SHALISA MATHENA : DATE 2/15/2021

CO-WORKER KUDOS I am submitting this memo in regards

Way to Go Brad!

to Brad Stevens. He has displayed a very generous amount of compassion for his co workers on this evening.

The snow levels had risen pretty steep outside and he took the extra step of borrowing a shovel from Armour to clear a pathway / trail making it a little easier for Bravo shift to depart and Alpha shift to arrive. He also warmed each holdover employees vehicle in addition to scraping the snow off the rear and front windshields. I did not want his kind deeds to go unnoticed.

Brad conducted these pleasantries without it being requested, with a very polite and courteous attitude. I am very grateful.

I wanted to acknowledge his kind gesture.

Thank you, PRD Shalisa Mathena

PRD BRAD STEVENS

SNOWSTORM CHRONICLES A Snowstorm in the middle of a pandemic...No Problem...Mark us

PRESENT & READY FOR DUTY February 17, 2021

1. Manager Eddie Heaston feeling accomplished after repairing a printer jam.

2. Supervisor Rosalind Phillips doesn't hesitate to show off her call-taking skills.

3. Dispatchers Erica Morris and Andrea Neil are marked safe after a pizza run for Bravo shift.

4. Cad Tech James Coughlin brings in temporary bedding for our weather contingency plan.

The Trek Through the Snow

By PRD Latoya Mims I only took major streets to get to work because I assumed they would be the clearest thanks to the sand trucks. I was wrong. Jackson Avenue only had one lane cleared. North Hollywood looked even worse, with sheets of ice serving as traffic lanes between rows of snow.

Sam Cooper looked like a giant snow slide. I know yesterday was a federal holiday ( President's Day), but due to the weather, I assumed whichever agency clears the streets would have been required to still come to work. I feel as if the city dropped the ball. Though many businesses are closed due to Covid-19 and inclement weather, there are still many of us who are required to work.

A few dispatchers suggested MATA provide shuttles or transportation for essential workers who are required to drive through dangerous road conditions to come to work. This would be a good solution to minimize drafting during inclement weather, as the primary complaint I've heard thus far is "making it to work".

Preparations

By PRD Linda Hollingsworth

The front of my garage was iced over and had to be chopped up to move it. The snow at my front door was so pretty and soft looking until I tried to shovel it. Then I discovered that it was also ice.

Once I was done with spreading the sand and fertilizer, it was snowing again , but this time I'm ready.

Needless to say, I got a real good workout before work.

Linda Hollingsworth clearing her driveway for her work commute.

I know getting to work yesterday and today was not easy. Thank

Gotta Double Back, Gotta Get Some Sleep

you for your dedication and

By PRD Ina Phelps

passion. It does not go unnoticed and I can assure you that I am very appreciative of the efforts made. The anxiety of driving through that mess is enough and then you walk into a stressful and challenging job. All of you are headset heroes. You are making a difference in so many lives who are unable to put off their emergencies until better weather arrives.- ECA Mike Spencer 2/16

I was drafted to stay late and already had to come in early.

When I went to the parking lot, I saw my co-workers struggling to get out of the parking lot. decided to stay at work and make the best of it. Thankfully, I was prepared with a change of clothes and personal items. I slept in the TAC office on a bench.

Thank you Ros for letting me use the office. Thank you Jenny for getting me a bench when I was sleeping on a chair. I used my throw as a pillow and my coat for cover. I was knocked out. I slept fine and was well rested for my early morning shift. It's just another sacrifice we make as essential workers and I am okay with it.

Supervisor L. Griggs "The Shuttle Coordinator" Dispatcher: " I don't feel safe driving. I can't get out of my driveway due to the snow. I won't be able to make it today" Lorna: " What's your address? We are going to get you picked up."

JUSTFUNFOR 2640 Be Like

2640 Be Like an Oleta Adams song, " I don't care how you get here, just get here if you can."

Memphis Police Emergency Communications Bureau Parking Lot February 14, 2021

" Anyone staying until 0345 who does not want to drive home, is welcome to stay until 0745."

2640/Spears "Dress warm and comfy and be careful coming to work.

Remember, we do not have snow days so everyone is required to be at work." - Mike Spencer "As a reminder, we are essential employees. We do not close due to inclement weather so give yourself plenty of extra time for your commute tonight and tomorrow." - Manager Sean Lovejoy " Find a way to work. You're number sixteen calling in. We need you here." - 2640/Griggs

MPD UBERS I enjoyed meeting the voices from the radio and putting names and faces to them. We had fun on our rides Everyone kept their laughs queued up and I had a blast!

I’m thankful we all made it through with no injuries or incidents, even if some of you tried to kill us all with your wild driveways and hilly subdivisions!! Hahahaha. I’m not sure how many miles I drove or dispatchers I picked up. The only thing I do know is in four days of driving I had to fill the truck I drove up seven different times. Each time, it was around 30 gallons of diesel. So y’all put us through the paces for sure. If ever in the future help is needed again, don’t hesitate to call on the motormen again.

- M35/Bishop (tow truck, Uber, Door Dash, chauffeur)

Before the organized shuttles started, I was picked up for work by B705 Lt. Moses. I thought it would be an inconvenience, but he said he did not mind at all. I would not have made it to work those first two days without him. I had to shout him out! - Erica May

Lt. Mangrum, MC6

FEB 18: FROM DEPUTY CHIEF D. CROWE

THE COMMAND STAFF THANKS YOU We are almost through the winter weather event. People will talk about this week for the next 20 years. If you talk to veteran officers, you will hear them refer to the Ice Storm of 1994. This event will be held in the same regard. The National Weather Service reported 8.8 inches of snow at Memphis International Airport since Monday. We cannot tell you what a great service our officers and dispatchers provided this week. Crime has plummeted. We have averaged 40 Part One Crimes per day this week, compared to a daily average of 127 Part One Crimes.

THANK YOU EACH AND EVERYONE THAT CAME TO WORK AND MADE MEMPHIS SAFE. You are the best and we appreciate your hard work and dedication; especially the alpha shift that worked when it was extremely cold and still caught burglars.

MPD Uber drivers get a five star rating.

Derrick Wilks Sloan Liddell Patrick Taylor Clement Marks Pierce Connelly Wally Jordan Lt. Mangrum

February 18, 2021 MPD Officers arrive to pick up the dispatchers that get off work at 2345. They shuttle them home or to the hotel.

First let me say thank you for all the kind words and well wishes from all of Communications! It was an honor to be of assistance to you all. I was grateful to finally put faces to voices we seldom see but always hear. For those that rode with me, I was driving the white truck 90% of the time, you know, the one with no running boards! We probably should have got aviation up to assist with getting us all in that truck, my 5'7" self included! LOL!!! I will remember the laughs and conversations we all enjoyed around the clock. I must say my assignment for the snow days as a Motor Uber were some of the best!! Please don't hesitate to call on Motors in the future if we can be of assistance. We hope you enjoyed flying with Motors!

-Officer Sloan Liddell ( aka MC32)

JUST OUT HERE BEING ESSENTIAL

ERCO Miesha Turner Reserve Calltaker Pam Pope Supervisor Towles and Manager Lovejoy

You can see the smiles through the masks.

pandemic inclement weather boil water advisory

Feb 19, 2021 Double Duty The building experienced low water pressure which caused the toilets not to flush. Show Supervisors Towles and Phillips to the rescue.

Emergency Communications Administrator Mike Spencer walked the floor every day and personally thanked employees for coming to work. He provided lunch, ordered portable bedding and made hotel reservations. He even took calls!

Thank you Admin Spencer for getting in the trenches with us this week. You really came through!

-- The Floor

Just when we thought things were going to get better, life threw the South a curve ball or in this case, a “snow ball” and plenty of them! Everyone knows that our city is not equipped to handle the type of weather we experienced . Because we are essential workers, we still had to show up. Many of us struggled with the thought of which routes would be best, what time to leave home, etc. Our concerns were expressed to Michael; and before we left Wednesday we were given options for rides to and from work, hotel accommodations, and memory foam cots for those that chose to stay at the Bureau. The Mounted Patrol and Motors officers, were extremely courteous. A few even went so far as to walk us (literally) to our doors to keep us from falling on the ice. Lt. Halfacre started our mornings off with a wake-up call saying, “Rise and shine! Your Motor Uber is on the way!!” What a great way to start the day. Everyone pitched in to help one another. If you were hungry, food was shared. If you were full of worry (like me), there was always someone offering a word of encouragement to get you through the day. To witness everyone coming together in the way that they did made me feel proud to be apart of our Bureau. As I continue to reflect, I can’t help but thank Michael and his staff for really stepping up.

I’m grateful that there were no accidents involving anyone in my work family. I’m very appreciative of my coworkers who were able to make it in and do what we do best---serve the city and citizens of Memphis.

PRD Jameta Young

SN

WBALL FIGHT

Location 79 Flicker Street Complainant: PRD Josh Edwards

What's the Call Type?

Remarks: Comp invd w/ his co-worker Francisco Lozada who is on the parking lot throwing snow balls at him. Subj resp MH, gray hat, black coat, navy blue collar shirt, blue pants

a DISTURBANCE b FIGHT c ARMED PARTY

LEADER'S REPORT

SNOWSTORM 2021

TEAMWORK: TOGETHER WE GOT IT DONE

BY MIKE SPENCER EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS ADMINISTRATOR Traffic and Special Operations made over 145 pickups and drove about 1700 miles in the snow and ice getting dispatchers to and from work.

When I arrived to work Wednesday morning around

Managers, Supervisors and Dispatchers worked to clear

05:30am, we only had two calltakers working. I sat

cars and the parking lot. We all shoveled snow and dug

down to help out until about 7:45 when more people

out cars, de-iced gates, went out after bottled water,

began to show. I began working on options for bedding

kept coffee going for the officers, took dispatchers to

in case employees got snowed in. I was working with

the store to buy extra clothes, and made some

OEM, City Hall and MPD on solutions.

transports of our own in the 1999 Durango 4x4 still assigned to Communications (it still runs fine). Some did

By 10:00am Director Rallings gave the order to do

sleep in offices and conference rooms for a quick

anything and everything we could to get Dispatchers to

turnaround. We still had Dispatchers that couldn’t make

and from work and taken care of. After I found a hotel

it to work due to burst pipes; so many had to step up to

with availability, Jeryl Shumpert in finance worked on

work overtime. Knowing they had safe passage back

booking the rooms. Colonel Watson assigned Major

and forth to work or a hotel made that more appealing.

Jackson and Lt Halfacre to Communications to assist with transports of employees to and from work.

I received a lot of thanks from the employees. I continue to tell them how much of a team effort it was. I made

By 11:45am, we had a plan in place that was solid.

sure they knew that despite everything going on our

Manager Lovejoy worked with OEM and Urban Search

Department made Communications a priority. This was

and Rescue to get cots brought to Communication as a

a very successful team effort. We learned a lot and we

last resort. We developed a log sheet and the Shift

will be better prepared for the next event.

Supervisors stepped up to begin coordination. LaQuinta Inn called me whenever they had a cancellation so we

Thanks to everyone that played a role in this. Based on

could add a room to the block. We ended up with ten

the comments I heard, both dispatchers and officers

rooms rotated between multiple dispatchers due to

really enjoyed the rides and conversations. They

shifts and days off. Some dispatchers only used a night

learned more about what traffic and special ops do

at a time and some stayed through Sunday morning.

behind the scenes and dispatch explained more about their roles and responsibilities.

ECB administration bought pizza for a couple of shifts and Lt Colonel Tow picked up Subway boxed lunches on Friday.

There was a lot of mutual respect exchanged.

ALPHA SHIFT 23:45-0745

MARCH 2021 | SHIFT BY SHIFT

Alpha Shift celebrated Red Day with a "Paint & Sip".

Dispatchers painted a canvas on the calltaker side.

BRAVO SHIFT 07:45-15:45

Tracy Williams, Jameta Young, and Markisha Young looking classy in red.

Cupid’s Day of Sweets and Treats CHARLIE SHIFT 15:45-23:45

On Valentine's Day Charlie Shift celebrated our first ever "Sweets and Treats." It was coordinated by Amber Starks and Latamara Jones. Shaneqwa Green and Ebone Hemmingway led the activities. We were able to remain in good spirits and love on each other despite the weather, and for some, the draft. We exchanged Valentines, had goodies, games and prizes. We made an effort to serve while practicing social distancing. Here are a few moments that were caught and shared. Everyone seemed to have a good time and worked hard answering the phones and dispatching the calls. - Supervisor Karonda Kirkwood

Super Bowl Sunday CHARLIE SHIFT 15:45-23:45

Super Bowl LV Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs 31-9.

From the Editor DERANECQUE ROGERS, ENP, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Future Mentors I would like to encourage you to complete the Mentor application that will be emailed to you. It is important that we commit to enhancing the bureau by being of service to new employees in a professional and supportive role. Not everyone is a CTO, but each of us can help in the retention efforts. Successful employee development isn't solely dependant upon the CTO, but quality conversations and an atmosphere of trust and support. We can create that atmosphere. Therefore, I urge you to apply. Become a Mentor and help shape the ECB into a place where Support + Effort = Employment (and approved days off).

Requirements

Minimum 5 years of service Signature of Support from 4 Supervisors Signature of Support from QA Manager NO SOCs within past 2 years WIllingness to commit a minimum 2 hours monthly to your Mentee Completion of Mentor training Ability to effectively communicate Ability to Support, Motivate & Encourage

"Teamwork makes the Dreamwork" is a colloquialism that definitely proved true during last month's winter storm. What could have been a very unfortunate situation, turned out to be something that drew us closer as co-workers and as friends. There was an abundance of camaraderie and commitment shown throughout the department. The obstacles and challenges that were presented shifted our perspectives, altered our attitudes, and created bonds we never knew we needed.

In addition to the officers and field commanders who were there for the Communications bureau, we were there for one another. To give one example, PRD Xan "The Man" Minor, PRD Brad "Chicago Snow Pro" Stevens, and PRD Jacob "I Am Here to Help" Manness made sure the Charlie's Angels had clear paths and warm cars to get into. They shoveled snow, scrapped windows & windshields, and started engines for their coworkers without hesitation. Their acts of kindness were truly above and beyond. I give a huge THANK YOU to each of them.

I am grateful for the Emergency Communications Bureau and the Memphis Police Department. There was a shift in the dynamic and it has changed us for the better. There were many lessons to be learned and hurdles to get over. We perservered and managed to come out on the right side of things. We definitely weathered the storm. We proved our committment to the citizens, to the deparment, and most of all to one another. If I could elevate our "essential" status, I would catapult it to the top of everyone's list. With help, we showed up. Lt. Halfacre and the Motor Units were particularly awesome! By coming together, we made a difference.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! Deranecque Rogers

Director Rallings, On behalf of the entire Emergency Communications Bureau, we thank you for your service and wish you a pleasant and peaceful retirement.