Alert! The deadline for on-line registration has passed. You must register at the conference in person beginning on Saturday the 23rd.
new Check your card key when you check into the Marriott hotel--it's a custom key with SCC's new corporate identity-- Intrado--prominently displayed. We have an exclusive look (see below).
During the conference, NENA will honor young children who have made a dramatic impact by calling 911. Association President Forshee will join 911 mascot Red E. Fox and officials from 9-1-1 For Kids to make the "National 9-1-1 Heroes" presentation. According to NENA, "The event marks the beginning of a new relationship between NENA and the Red E. Fox Mascot for children."
No, there aren't any scheduled Shuttle launches during the NENA conference, nor any even close to the conference week. Sorry!
If you take the tour to visit the Reedy Creek Fire Dept. comm center, take a look at the outside paint job of the building--it's a very distinctive Dalmation dog pattern. Folklore has it that somewhere in the pattern--no one knows exactly where--there are the traditional "Mickey ears" of the Disney empire.
Disney has its own fire department, but who handles law enforcement matters on the property? Well, it's the Orange County Sheriff, who patrols there under contract with marked and unmarked units.
Average daily Orlando temperature during June: 81 degrees.
Walt Disney World 4-day, Park Hopper adult pass: $203.52. A one-day, one-park pass: $50.88.
Magic Kingdom hours: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Animal Kingdom: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
By the way, Disney's new Animal Kingdom Lodge will be partially open at the time of the conference. The impressive Lodge features rooms with a "savannah" view of animals during the day, artificial moonlight and campfires at night.
DISPATCH Monthly Magazine's Preview of the
Annual Conference of the
National
Emergency Number Association
Orlando (Fla.), June 24 to 28, 2001
Like the Space Shuttle's fuel tanks, this could be the most pressurized NENA conference ever--wireless 911 is supposedly just around the corner, yet America's PSAPs seem no better prepared to accept, display or handle location data than they were last year.
But by this October, it's blast-off, no matter what. And that's probably why thousands of public safety comm center professionals will attend this year's conference, to seek out solutions to the more mundane aspects of wireless E911. After all, legislation, technology, surcharges and other matters won't answer a ringing telephone, determine the caller's location or get emergency units to the scene. To do that, you need the real nitty-gritty stuff: computers, software and personnel.
Not that wireless E911 is the only issue on NENA's plate. The nationwide staffing crisis is still very real, creating daily headaches for administrators and dispatchers alike. Like the wireless E911 technology issue, staffing hasn't become any better during the last year. And although recent tech-sector layoffs may provide more applicants, few have found solutions that will increase staffing in the future.
Other issues facing NENA and the nation's PSAPs include PBX routing issues, the training necessary to keep up with the increased use of technology, funding, the increasing legal issues with which administrators must deal, consolidation and telematics.
All of these issues are covered somewhere at NENA's conference, either in an educational session, panel discussion or pre-conference course.
Of course, DISPATCH Monthly Magazine will be attending the conference, and plans to bring you same-day, on-line coverage with stories and photos.
If you're already planning to attend, we've assembled some conference and Orlando information to help you get ready. If you're still deciding on whether the conference would be productive, what can we say? You're bound to collect tons of useful information on all the hot issues about E911--and it's in Orlando!
Pre-Planning
The deadline has ended for tours of the Kennedy Space Center's Joint
Communications and Control Center, and Emergency Operations Center. These
locations aren't included on the regular tour and feature some of the world's
most high-tech gear.
You'll be able to sign up for tours of the Reedy Creek Improvement District (WDW) Fire Department and Orange County comm centers once you arrive at the conference--look for easels with the sign-up lists in the registration area.
Hopefully you've already reserved a room at the conference hotel, Marriott's Orlando World Center. Contact the hotel directly at (800) 621-0638 to see if they have space and the special conference rate is still available. The hotel is just a hop, skip and jump (just east) of Walt Disney World and features a frequent for-fee shuttle to the park.
The deadline has already passed for on-line conference registration at NENA's Website. At this point, you'll have to register at the conference beginning on Saturday, June 23rd. By the way, you can purchase one-day passes for Tuesday (if you happen to live in the area, or are just passing through), and the trade show will be open to family attendees on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Next, check the pre-conference (Sunday), day-long sessions on specialized topics, including 911 public education, 911 technology and databases, and managing a 911 center. You'll have to arrive at least a day early, and they'll cost you $195, but you'll pick up some critical and useful skills.
If you're really serious, consider applying to take the Emergency Number Professional (ENP) certification test on Sunday. You'll have to meet certain education, experience and professional development criteria--contact NENA for more information.
If you're traveling with your family, NENA has several activities, including a pre-conference, day-long tour of Kennedy Space Center ($70).
Arriving at the airport and need transportation to the hotel? Mears Motor Shuttle offers trips for $27 per person (round-trip). In the "A" terminal, Mears' booth is directly across from American Airlines baggage claim carousel #6, or Southwest's carousel #12. From the "B" terminal, head to United's carousel #8 or Delta's carousel #13. Mears operates 24-hours a day at 20-minute intervals.
What should you pack? The mid-Florida weather should be in the 90's during the conference, but air conditioning will lower the indoor temperatures. Pack some layers so you can stay cool outdoors, but comfortable indoors.
Now you're ready to consider what education sessions you'll attend during the conference. NENA's pre-conference brochure details most of the sessions and the days they will be given. But you'll only find out the exact session schedule once you arrive.
Hot Sessions
After you pick up your attendee badge and sign up for PSAP tours, you can start marking the hot sessions. NENA has categorized the sessions by:
- Database management / GIS
- Administration
- Operations
- 911 implementation
- Training
- Public education
- Accessibility
- Wireless
- National issues
- Technical aspects
- International
NENA has posted the complete, minute-by-minute schedule for its educational sessions--check their Web site.
- NENA is presenting a 2-3 hour, in-depth panel discussion on wireless implementation. Given the timeliness of this topic, and the imminent deadline for carriers to provide the service, you can't miss it. (Monday afternoon)
- Another panel discussion on telematics should prove interesting, as car manufacturers, Motorola and other companies focus in on this technology as a new revenue source. (Tuesday morning)
- NENA is hosting two free Franklin Covey courses: What Matters Most, and Introduction to the Seven Habits. (both Tuesday; seating limited to 100; tickets given out in the NENA member lounge area just outside the exhibit hall starting at noon on Monday)
- Hiring Successful Calltakers and Dispatchers: explanation of simulation-type tests developed to provide accuracy in predicting success of applicants.
- Creating Your Own In-Service On a Budget: Given by LeAnn Krieg of the University of Wisconsin PD, will focus on the important topic of providing on-going training without going broke.
- The Future of Mapping in Public Safety: This session's title may say it all--it's all about maps. Robert White from Plant Equipment, Inc. will explain how mapping relates to Phase II, telematics and more. There are many other sessions on Phase II, wireless and mapping--check the schedule.
- Satellite Phone 9-1-1: Lt. Kevin Keast of the U.S. Coast Guard will explain how his agency now handles distress calls from satellite phones now, and their plans to route "local" callers to the appropriate PSAP.
- South African Perspective of a National Emergency Call Center Structure: Big country, long session title, focuses on how this country worked through the issues of establishing an emergency telephone system.
Trade Show
You should also plan to attend the trade show, where scores of companies will be exhibiting their products and services. The show opens at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, 9 a.m. on Tuesday and Wednesday. There is a special family and career day session on Tuesday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. when your friends, family and children can visit the exhibits to learn more about the profession.
You can take a virtual visit of the trade show floor to plan your route.
The Fun Stuff
Besides the serious 911 activities, NENA has planned some less serious business to help make the conference more fun.
The Welcome Reception Monday night will feature a "Margaritaville" theme, with Sloppy Joe's bar and a Key West fishing village, live music, dancing and more. The conference begins at 7 p.m. on Sunday, the day before the full conference kick-off, and has an "America's Topics" theme. NENA says they'll award prizes for the best-dressed person, couple and NENA Chapter.
The final night reception and concert features a South Beach theme, with all its hustle, bustle and dance clubs. Topping off the night at Club Tropical will be Kool & The Gang, who started singing "Jungle Boogie" back in the 1970s!
Other places of interest:
- Cypress Gardens
- Universal Studios
- Guiness World Theater
- Gatorland
- Seaworld
- Busch Gardens
- Discovery Cove
- Titanic exhibit
Related Links
We've assembled some links so you can begin your exploration of the Orlando area a little early--part business, pleasure and space adventure.
Orlando PD Communications Division
Reedy Creek Improvement District Fire Department
aka Walt Disney World FDReedy Comm Center staff listing
Walt Disney World official site
NASA mission count-down Web page
Mission viewing page
Marriott's Orlando World Center Hotel
