Accomplishments

Annex Facility: Work continued to relocate mission critical operations into the hardened tornado shelter. Building systems and all necessary network connectivity between the buildings was established. Several partner agencies are moving forward to include this space in their agency continuity of operations plan.

Cybersecurity: Cybersecurity continues to be one of the greatest risks to continuity of operations for Denco's 9-1-1 system and a high priority for staff. Denco engaged a cybersecurity vulnerability assessment designed specifically for public safety and based on the FCC, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) best practices. The comprehensive network review identified cyber weaknesses and other cybersecurity needs, such as forensics, training and end-point security solutions. Denco has enhanced remote monitoring of 9-1-1 networks and systems. Denco offered a “Cybersecurity Hygiene” class to its staff and 9-1-1 and IT personnel in the district.

Strategic Plan Adoption: Denco Area 9-1-1 District Board of Managers adopted the revised strategic plan framework. The plan document is an update of previously approved plans and budget priorities, continuing the board's long-standing commitment to achieving the agency's mission through a professional, efficient, and effective strategy. This plan reaffirms Denco Area 9-1-1 District’s vital role in maintaining the 9-1-1 system supporting the high quality of life enjoyed by residents, businesses, and visitors.

Training Program Expansion: The Denco training academy continues to offer high quality basic, intermediate and advanced training programs to public safety personnel. Fiscal year 2019 saw a significant expansion of training with more than 21,000 contact hours, a record for Denco.

 

Microwave System Enhancements: Completed a major technology upgrade of the Denco/Denton County microwave system. The roughly two million dollar upgrade to the 13 year-old, jointly owned microwave system will enhance system operational capacity and reliability. The technology enhancement will ensure the continued availability of this important public safety infrastructure supporting both 9-1-1 and public safety radio operations.

CAD / Radio Interoperability Project: Denco engaged an interoperability project with partner agencies to identify the operational and financial considerations necessary to integrate partner agency Computer Aided Dispatch and land mobile radio communications into the Annex, for backup PSAP and emergency management operations. Following the completion of the analysis and findings by the consultant, Denco is planning for implementation of minor operational enhancements to the Annex to ensure its effectiveness as a back-up emergency communications center for partner jurisdictions.

Recruiting and Testing Support: Recruiting Support: During FY2019, Denco processed telecommunicator applicants through the various pre-employment testing programs and provided partner agencies with 238 fully tested candidates. Denco provides a series of pre-employment tests to help identify candidates with the required skillset to be a successful telecommunicator. Denco staff also administered 188 state licensing exams, which covers telecommunicators, law enforcement officers, and jailers.

GIS Enhancements: The Denco Geographic Information Systems (GIS) staff continues to work with partner jurisdictions to enhance location data to an accuracy level that will support spatial routing of 9-1-1 calls. At the end of FY2019, data accuracy of ALI & MSAG synchronization is 97.03%, within one percentage point of industry standards.

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