1. 911 fee allocation-regional dispatch center

Additionally, while a simple car accident without injuries can go from a 911 call to dispatch and call completion in a manner of minutes, a rural fire or injury can keep a call-taker simultaneously on the phone and radio (sometimes several frequencies) for hours. And as noted, sometimes these complex emergency communication situations don't even begin with a 911 call. Every PSAP has call-takers available for emergencies 24 hours per day; 365 days per year, regardless of how many calls are received or what portion of their duties involve communications initiated by a 911 call. For these reasons, the guidelines encompass a fairly broad understanding of emergency communications. These guidelines however, do recognize that in some PSAPs the duties of the call-takers include activities not related to emergency communications. In several locations, call-takers must also support jail activities, monitor security camera's, and conduct other strictly administrative functions. These guidelines suggest that the portion ofPSAP staffing and operational costs associated with such duties should not be considered eligible emergency services communication system costs. Similarly, the 2005 performance audit raised an issue regarding the allocation of the purchase and maintenance costs of equipment. The example cited was of a radio tower that is necessary for dispatching emergency services, but also contains non-emergency radio equipment. The question was raised as to whether the entire cost of the tower was an appropriate expenditure of these funds (since it was essential for emergency services communications) or if the cost should be prorated (since it serves multiple purposes). The Attorney General's Opinion noted above also states; "DJust because the improved technologies may also incidentally aid non-emergency dispatching does not necessarily mean the purchase of such technologies with E911 funds is not permissible." The ESCC Committee therefore developed these guidelines with the understanding that if a piece of equipment is essential to an emergency services communications system, its full purchase and maintenance costs are allowable - even if that equipment provides some benefit to other non-emergency functions of government. While it can be considered inappropriate for government agencies to retain significant unexpended revenues, the high cost and critical nature of the equipment necessary to ensure emergency communications suggests that each 911 jurisdiction conduct long-range planning and retain appropriate funds for future investment and emergency repairs or replacement. This planning should be documented to clearly identify the purposes for which funds are being retained. ALLOW ABLE EXPENDITURES: 1. Equipment - Infrastructure. The entire cost associated with the purchase, lease, rental, upgrade, lease-purchase, service and maintenance of equipment necessary for the 911 jurisdiction's operation of the emergency services communications system, including: a. enhanced 9-1-1 call answering equipment, b. landline, wireless, voice over Internet Protocol (V oIP) telecommunications equipment, c. telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) equipment,