June 11-15 DISPATCH Monthly Magazine My Salt Lake City Preview Monday Tuesday Wednesday SLC Police-Fire Comm VECC We noted the incredible embroidery on the side of the expensive looking, simulated- leather briefcase handed out with registration materials -- especially the NENA conference logo. Kudos to Lucent Technologies and Tel Control Inc. for apparently footing the bill. On the other hand, the only freebie we received from PSAP Data Resources was one of those cheap, flimsy wooden glider models. NENA's Report Card to the Nation is not even close to being completed, but they've already designed fancy, 4-color covers for the five separate volumes that result. According to a promotional brochure for the RCN, "subscription" info will be released after the annual conference. We saw just one police car the entire day as we walked around the downtown. We didn't notice any bike officers, but did notice their downtown HQ on Main St. I was registered by Anna Marie Batt, NENA resource information administrator, who handled typing in my information, a telephone call ("We need ice..."), and a radio call all at once. Hey, that's what a dispatcher does! We saw a security guard for the LDS Church checking some buildings near Temple Square. He appeared to be no more than 22 years old, dressed in a nice black suit, and wearing the full Motorola undercover radio set -- earphone and sleeve microphone. The "in" joke of the evening party came from a woman who said she was retiring in Sept. 2001, just in time to miss Phase II.

Friendly City, Majestic Views City On A Hill, Next To Mountains NENA Attendees Register, Have A Party Bright sun, warm temperatures and the beauty of Salt Lake City greeted attendees to the 2000 annual conference of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA). Eventually, though, those happy thoughts will turn serious as some 2,500 persons head to seminars on wireless 911, PBXs, and other issues. Attendees strolled in to the Salt Palace Convention Center all throughout the day--by 1 p.m. officials said they had checked in 1,300 attendees. U S WEST provided an Internet link for attendees to browse the Web, send or even retrieve their e-mail. The seminar list revealed that there are 24 specifically devoted to public safety companies. NENA schedules and promotes these seminars separately from the others. On other topics, the seminars cover wireless (only nine this year), technical (13), training - public education - personal development (16), operations (14), database/GIS (7), ADA (5), administration - contingency planning (8) and national - international issues (10). In the trade show area, workers put together exhibits for some 82 companies--the show open Monday morning. The seminar line-up makes one wonder--is there really anything new with 911? The recent GPS accuracy improvement should help shake loose some vendor decisions. But since June 1999, there's been precious little in new regulations or technology. We've signed up to visit the Salt Lake City police and fire comm center, and the Valley Emergency Communications Center on Tuesday and Wednesday. We'll have a full report and photos for you by Tuesday night. Yes, it was hot today--in the upper 90s. Combined with the clear air and 4,300-foot elevation, the sun pounded down on everyone. It's hard to imagine this city will be ground zero for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, which is actually spread out over five local indoor venues, and five outdoor venues up towards Park City, at about 11,000 feet elevation. Interstate construction has begun in earnest--locals say the highways are completely closed from midnight to 6 a.m. on most nights, forcing airport runs to take a 3-mile detour. Salt Lake City is one of those with lots of fantastic views--of the nearby mountains, of the city itself, of the State Capitol building (with and without tourists), and the Temple Square area, which includes the Tabernacle and Temple itself. There seemed to be lots of foreign visitors to the Temple buildings, and they were being shown around by guides who spoke Japanese, German and other languages. Just 2-3 blocks from the downtown business district, towards the state capitol building, are older homes, some which have been turned into bed and breakfast businesses themselves. The further you go up the hill, the better the view becomes. Finally, the capitol building comes into view. Just downhill from the building is obvious damage to trees from last year's tornado, which heavily damaged the Delta Center and Wyndham Hotel, which is just 150 yards from the convention center. However, all of the building damage seems to be repaired and you can't really tell where it occurred. Oh, be sure to get by the SCC booth during the trade show, to enter and have a chance at winning a Palm V personal digital assistant. Also drop by the NENA member lounge, meet "Buzzy," update your PSAP information, and receive a free copy of the "How It's Done" book about the legendary emergency phone person. Positron sponsored the evening buffet party--a 1950s style gambling and rock-and-roll event. Two "gangsters" with violin cases met the guests at the door, and there were restored old cars inside the ballroom. On stage, a disc jockey and the Decade Dancers entertained, even convincing the audience to participate in a "Hand Jive" revival. The buffet lines included sliced beef and ham, hot dishes and salad and the tables were full. In the middle of the giant ballroom were gambling tables, including craps, 21 and roulette. We won't repeat the jokes we heard about "gambling on Phase II 911." Oh, we also spotted these two strange signs on a building and a kiosk on downtown Salt Lake City. Go figure!