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Senate committee advises and consents on nominees to Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority, urges NG911 planning
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Summary
A Mississippi Senate committee advised and consented to 13 nominees to the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority and outlined the authority’s duties for rolling out next‑generation 9‑1‑1, emphasizing GIS standards, grant administration and sustainable funding.
A Mississippi Senate committee on technology matters advised and consented to 13 nominees to the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority, the panel charged under the Mississippi Emergency Communications Authority Act with overseeing the state’s shift to next‑generation 9‑1‑1 (NG911).
The committee voted to approve reappointment of Allen Wicker to the ITS board and confirmed a slate of county and state emergency‑communications leaders, municipal officials and technical experts who the chair said will help implement Section 6 of the act. The chair summarized the authority’s responsibilities: "Develop and adopt an annual budget, apply for, receive, and use federal grants, state grants, or both," establish and revise technology standards, and "recommend minimum standards for the operation of public safety answering points" (PSAPs), the chair said.
Why it matters: Committee members and nominees framed the authority’s work as central to public safety. Senator Delano, who helped shepherd the legislation, said NG911 implementation is costly and will require clear statewide GIS standards, coordinated grant programs and education for local officials so communities do not purchase incompatible systems.
The approved nominees include: Allen Wicker (reappointment, ITS board); Diana Dias (Jackson County E‑911 Emergency Communications District); Chad Norman Dorn (chief, Popoville Police Department); Eric Hollingworth (telecommunications professional, C Spire); Paul Sheffield (Mississippi 9‑1‑1 Coordinators Association); Scott Trappolino (vice chair, GIS Coordinating Council; City of Olive Branch GIS manager); Teresa Windham (state EMS director, Mississippi State Department of Health); Paul Mosley (Clark County supervisor); Matt Haley (Harrison County sheriff); Bridal Roberts (chief, Brandon Fire Department); Willis Willard Johnson III (mayor, Hernando); Beatrice Pryor (Quitman County administrator); and Sherry Hocamp (retired Biloxi 9‑1‑1 director; ABCO president).
Several confirmations included brief disclosures. The peer report on Paul Sheffield noted a self‑reported bankruptcy in 2002 that the nominee said was resolved in 2004; the chair told the committee that peer reports for other nominees showed no derogatory information that would preclude service. The chair also reported that outstanding statements of economic interest had been completed after peer reports were compiled.
Senator Delano outlined immediate priorities for the authority: develop minimum statewide GIS standards that will feed a coherent NG911 mapping and addressing structure; design a competitive grant program from the CMRS trust fund that emphasizes efficiencies and accountability; and create education and outreach so local supervisors, assessors and technical staff understand costs and benefits. "It is hard to convey to them how expensive this proposition is going to be," Delano said, adding that a statewide enterprise approach can reduce duplicative spending and encourage interoperability.
Committee process and next steps: Each nominee was presented, given an opportunity to speak about their background, and approved by voice vote after a motion to "advise and consent." The committee chair said the group will be formally constituted following any required senate confirmation steps and will be charged with drafting standards, grant rules and a statewide NG911 plan.
The committee adjourned after the confirmations and the extended discussion of NG911 priorities.
