On the agenda: St Cloud Regions Of The Statewide Emergency Communications Board meeting — data center (Jan 8)

Central Minnesota Next Generation 9-1-1 Committee
Thursday, January 8, 2026 – 10:00 a.m.
Microsoft Teams Meeting Link (Meeting ID: 288 116 862 230 Passcode: pHKMDb)
Phone: (320) 460-1141, Conference ID: 794 381 955#
Agenda
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Call to Order
Roll Call and Introductions
Approval of Agenda (P1)
Approval of Minutes from October 9, 2025 Meeting (P2-7)
Communications
a. Election of 2026 Chair and Vice Chair (Action Item)
6. Reports
a. ECN Update (View Connection Point online)
1. Statewide Training Opportunities (View online)
a. MNCIT Mental Health Awareness for Dispatchers – January 28 in Sauk Rapids (P8)
2. Mapped ALI/PSAP System Interoperability & Info Sharing Initiative Project (Update) (P9-10)
3. PSAP Cyber Security Assessments (Update)
a. SECB Informational Bulletin: Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation for PSAPs (P11)
4. NG911 Transition (Update) (P12-13)
b. Statewide NG911 Committee
1. 988 Mental Health transition (Update) (View online)
2. GIS/IT Involvement (Update)
c. Statewide NG911 GIS (View GIS Information)
d. Current Legislative Initiatives (View HF/SF online)
1. $7 Million Appropriation for Digital School Mapping Grant (View online)
1) Metro Letter to School Administrators 9/10/2025 (P14-17)
7. General Discussion
a. Regional Strategic Plan (View online)
1. Promote the recruitment and retention of PSAP staff (Goal)
a. Public Safety Telecommunicator Recognition/911ItsYourCalling.com (View Survey)
2. Implement equipment/technology to improve 9-1-1 location accuracy (Goal)
3. New Goals for 2026-2028? Goals Prioritized? (P18-19)
b. Central MN Training Roadmap (View Training page) (20)
1. ARMER 1-Day Dispatcher – Reschedule?
2. ARMER Dispatcher Agency ½ Day – Same day as Swift – Open for a County Volunteer
c. National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is coming! (P21-22)
d. 2025 Attendance (P23)
e. Other Issues
8. Old Business
a. 9-1-1 Training Resources and Upcoming Events for 9-1-1 pages
1. DHS Swatting Awareness Video: Indicators for Public Safety Telecommunicators (View Online)
b. NG911 Committee Membership List, Appointment Forms and Sign-up for Notifications
9. Upcoming Meetings (View Meeting Schedule)
a. February 12, 2026 – Teams Meeting
10. Adjournment

1

Central MN
Next Generation 9-1-1 Committee
Microsoft Teams Meeting
Thursday, October 9, 2025 – 10:00 AM

NG911 COMMITTEE MEMBERS/ALTERNATES PRESENT
1.
Sheriff Mark Brown – Big Stone County
2.
Tom Egan, Vice Chair – Douglas County
3.
Tina McGrath – Grant County
4.
Jody Norstegard – Kandiyohi County
5.
Andy Beckstrom – Mille Lacs County
6.
Jason Karlgaard & Greg Seim – Otter Tail County
7.
Sheriff Nathan Brecht – Pope County
8.
Shannon Housey– Stearns County
9.
Brian Koehler – Stevens County
10. Sheriff John Holtz – Swift County
11. Sarah Booker, Chair – Todd County
12. Erika Penner – Wadena County
13. Haley Dubois – Wright County
NG911 COMMITTEE MEMBERS/ALTERNATES ABSENT:
14. City of St. Cloud
15. Benton
16. Meeker
17. Morrison
18. Traverse
19. Wilkin
GUESTS:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Caitlin Christenson, GIS – Stevens County
Kelly Mager – State Patrol
Mark Lallak, 9-1-1 Operational Coordinator – ECN
Kelley Callahan – IES

CALL TO ORDER:
Meeting called to order by NG911 Chair Sarah Booker at 10:00 a.m.
INTRODUCTIONS:
Introductions were conducted. There was a quorum for the NG911 Committee.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Stearns County made a motion to approve the NG911 Committee Agenda. Big Stone County seconded,
motion carried. Roll Call Vote: Big Stone – Aye; Douglas – Aye; Grant – Aye; Kandiyohi – Aye; Otter
Tail – Aye; Pope – Aye; Stearns – Aye; Stevens – Aye; Swift – Aye; Todd – Aye; Wadena – Aye;
Wright – Aye.

1

2

APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Douglas County made a motion to approve the September 11, 2025 NG911 Committee minutes.
Grant County seconded, motion carried. Roll Call Vote: Big Stone – Aye; Douglas – Aye; Grant –
Aye; Kandiyohi – Aye; Otter Tail – Aye; Pope – Aye; Stearns – Aye; Stevens – Aye; Swift – Aye;
Todd – Aye; Wadena – Aye; Wright – Aye.
Communications
Booker reported there is a meeting tomorrow morning at 10AM with the VESTA folks to discuss the
root cause analysis from the service disruption incident on September 14th. Looks like it's coming
down to an electrical issue in the data center which then logged out consoles throughout the state.
REPORTS:
ECN Update
Lallak reported ECN is having office discussions right now about our Next Gen 911 future project.
They are some financial obligations and some network obligations. I do believe once they get done
with those meetings, they will be looking for some SECB involvement on all parts of that project.
Central Region, two counties left that have not finished their GIS. We are very close in getting
Central Region all done with their Next Gen 911 GIS. When we're going to site visits, myself and Jill
Bondhus, with some T-Mobile text-to-911 phones. They're using low orbiting satellites as a text right
now only. Those low orbiting satellites can only be activated once AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon
resources are not present. If all three of those are not present, it'll go to a satellite call. Any of those
areas where you guys have a real lack of signal, we'd love to come when we're on a site visit going in
that area to be able to test that text-to-911 to your PSAP, just to see what comes up, and make sure
it's accurate.
1. Statewide Training Opportunities
a. MNCIT Mental Health Awareness for Dispatchers – January 28 in Sauk Rapids
View online.
2. Mapped Ali/PSAP System Interoperability & Info Sharing Initiative Project (Update)
Booker reported the Mapped Ali project and the PSAP system interoperability project that
one's still pending. After our meeting with that workgroup last week, I'm going to be having a
touch base meeting with Director Palmer and AC Cunningham in regards to the project and
maybe switching gears just a little bit. We're in a situation where both of the vendors,
RapidDeploy and RapidSOS, are continuing to amend the contract with some additional
offerings, but we know there's some additional vendors with some similar information,
because what's being added is moving out of the realm of just the peer Mapped Ali, and we're
working on a bunch of additional things. AI-related and there's some other tools and
functionalities that are coming on board that take it out of the scope of the initial project. So,
we're going to take a pause while I have that conversation and see if maybe we should be
looking at a different approach to this project. With the speed things are changing and what's
being added we may be looking at either expanding that project, or doing something a little
different, so I'll have some more answers at our next meeting after I'm able to have that
conversation and how we're going to move forward with that project.
3. PSAP Cyber Security Assessments (Update)
a. SECB Informational Bulletin: Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation for PSAPs
Booker reported we included the bulletin again that was sent out regarding the cyber
security threat mitigations for PSAPs. The SHSP cybersecurity training grant ECN is
putting together the RFP's been published. We're seeking evaluators to help review
those responses when they come back so we can hopefully get this training set up
shortly after the first of the year.
2

3

REPORTS: (Continued)
ECN Update (Continued)
4. NG911 Transition (Update)
Booker reported we're in the preliminary process of figuring out what our next steps are.
The intent is to still procure a facilitator to help us figure out what that looks like, not only
from the technology side, but in the next steps moving forward into the NG911 environment.
Once those internal discussions are complete, we'll be soliciting some input from our
stakeholder community to help the development of that road map and how we move forward
with the with the transition.
Statewide NG911 Committee
Booker reported we've been having conversation with regards to the additions that were made to
StatusBoard which inadvertently made it more difficult for us to do our jobs. With the addition of the
talkgroup resources to the State the MN page, it pushed the talkgroups we use more frequently, the
LTACs, the STACs, further down in the list. If you need one of those for an emerging urgent event,
you have to either scroll down towards the bottom, or even go onto page 2. The SECB NG911
Committee is going to be drafting a memo to Interop and LMR as all three of the committees are
working together to make some of those changes to make those frequently used resources a little
more accessible to our staff when they need them in a hurry. In addition, we had discussion with
regards to the StatusBoard outage that was experienced on Saturday. I've been working with Director
Palmer and Melinda Miller on getting a communication out to our PSAP community with an update
on that disruption with the information on how to report those disruptions, as well as a refresh on the
standard language. Refreshing folks on the procedure on what to do if you need one of those
resources when StatusBoard is down, coming down to making that announcement, or inquiring if
anybody's utilizing that talkgroup and then making those announcements. We also had the discussion
there are some things in the standard that are due for an update, so we'll be working with LMR and
the Interop Committee to take a look at the current StatusBoard standard and then make any changes
that are needed over the next couple months so we can get that refreshed and published.
Booker reported NG911 Committee has been going to work on a plan for a communication plan for
those multiline telephone system documents that have been developed and approved through the last
several months. Now that we have them, how do we get them in the hands of those that need them?
There was one for PSAPs, but then there was also one for facility owners and operators.
Booker reported the service disruption form that we approved and that did go to the SECB board and
was approved. For reporting, now that we have that we're having the discussions on how best to
collect that information and what to do with it once we have it. There'll be a best practice document
being developed and a procedure document not only with regards specifically to the form, but also to
help PSAP folks especially if you're new on what do I do if this happens at my center.
1. 988 Mental Health transition (Update)
Booker reported that group continues to meet and we're currently working on getting the
training that had been developed between the 988 and 911 workgroup posted and accessible,
we're hoping on the Alec Tech website.
2. GIS/IT Involvement (Update)
Booker reported just a standing item, we continue to encourage you to be working with your
IT and your GIS folks, especially as we start to move into the initial phases of our NG911
transition, because both of those disciplines are going to be important as we move forward,
because it's going to become much more technical. We have more of the concerns with the
cybersecurity as well as the GIS information that's the baseline driver of the call routing in
the new environment.
3

4

REPORTS: (Continued)
Statewide NG911 GIS
Christenson reported GIS LIS conference was held last week in Duluth and there was a really good
turn out about 600 people from all different aspects of the GIS community. Tuesday, there was an
award down in southwestern Minnesota, because he has helped assist about 7 counties with getting
their NG911 data uploaded to the state, and then assisted and mentored and consulted with another 5.
The best practices documents for edge matching and NG911 GIS data schemas was approved by the
NG911 Committee on the last meeting, so that will be on the SECB website and then also published
to the Minnesota NG911 GIS Hub. We're looking next month to update some of the other two best
practices due to changes within 1Spatial. Their portal changed as they have instead of doing
individual validations, they have one where we can do all the checks at once so that will save GIS
folks some time.
Current Legislative Initiatives
1. $7 Million Appropriation for Digital School Mapping Grant
a. Metro Letter to School Administrators 9/10/2025
Booker reported you can see the letter that was sent out to the school administrators
from the MESB outlining the project. The information they need to know with
regards to the costs and the participation requirement and the timeline. In addition,
there's the opt out form if schools want to participate, or not participate. If you
remember the Central Region also had sent out the opt out form. We're collecting that
information as we move forward into the project. The MESB did make a vendor
selection and we're currently working through some of the process there.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
a. Regional Strategic Plan
1. Promote the recruitment and retention of PSAP staff (Goal)
a. Public Safety Telecommunicator Recognition/911ItsYourCalling.com
Booker reported the revitalization of the 911 Its Your Calling website.
We're encouraging folks if they have position openings to get those over to
the ECN inbox. We're still having some other communications on
the recognition program and some of those other things we can do to help
fill the toolbox for recruitment and retention.
2. Implement equipment/technology to improve 9-1-1 location accuracy (Goal)
Booker reported the implementation of equipment technology for the location accuracy.
There's many things. It's moving really fast with the technology things, so we're trying
to gather that information, work through how best to implement some of those
technologies.
3. New Goals for 2026-2028? Goals Prioritized?
Booker reported the SECB SCIP Plan update is the 2026-2030 plan and we're having
Continued discussion around that trying to really pin down some very specific and
actionable goals. Things that we can measure, things that we can be able to check off
the list. And looking in that 5-year period to what are some of our short-term goals in
the next year, mid-range goals in that 2-3 year range, then what are some of those
things we're anticipating are going to take up to the five years, especially some of those
things that are going to require some legislative action, because that process is not fast.
We are working together with the Legislative Committee developing some information
around that and then helping to figure out which of our legislative priorities we have, so
we can advocate for them moving forward

4

5

GENERAL DISCUSSION (Continued)
b. Central MN Training Roadmap
1. ARMER 1-Day Dispatcher – November 18th at Alex Tech
Booker reported we do have a date November 18th for the ARMER one day dispatcher
course and that will be at Alec Tech. If your agency is participating in that if you can
get your console config files, and bring them with you to the class. If you are going the
parking pass information, doing the pre-work with the suggested Alec Tech training
modules to just get that update. Then the logistics information is there.
2. ARMER Dispatcher Agency ½ Day –Same day as Swift –Open for a County Volunteer
Booker reported we still have an opening if there's another county that would like to do
1/2 day training in addition to Swift.
c. FCC 911 Requirements for Multi-Line Telephone Systems
Booker reported there's that additional information that was published by the FCC about the
requirements, so it's in line with the documents that were developed from the committee
level. It's just some additional information with regards to that.
d. National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is coming!
Booker reported everyone should have seen a communication come out yesterday from
myself, from the SECB NG911Committee on behalf of the NERIS workgroup that we've
been working with the state Fire Marshal's office on, with regard to the new NERIS fire
reporting that fire departments are currently transitioning. We wanted to send this out just for
a situational awareness piece for PSAPs. We wanted to have PSAPs not be in the dark if fire
departments were reaching out to them about some of the changes they're experiencing in
their fire reporting. With the work group with the state Fire Marshal's office, we did develop
this informational sheet. It points to some additional resources. The current NFIR's fire
reporting system is getting sunset. It's been in place since the 1970s and was desperately in
need of a refresh. Nationwide, the transition is going to the new NERIS system. The deadline
for Minnesota agencies to transition is January 1st. Along with the transition, NERIS is
offering the opportunity for them to collect a lot more data about their fire incidents and how
those are getting reported in, so that it's more easily used if needed for statistical reporting.
There are some changes with regards to what fields are required for fire departments to
report. As well as some changes in incident types which ultimately makes it a little bit
simpler for the fire reporting, but it may mean that fire departments may be asking their
dispatch centers for additional pieces of information. I'm anticipating very little changes.
e. Other issues
Housey stated I brought this up a couple of meetings ago about the DTMF tones on our 911
lines and I'm just looking to get an update. We did a Viper 7 upgrade recently and we were
told that would hopefully cure our DTMF issues we're having with being able to
acknowledge either cell phone crash detections, or the OnStar Ford crash detection type
things, where you have to hit a button to acknowledge those to talk to someone. Wondering if
there's other counties out there having the same issue? And if so, what phone vendors are
they using? Trying to figure out if it's a Viper issue, Lumen issue, etc.
Otter Tail County stated we've experienced that, but it's been rather intermittent. We're
running VESTA here, so I don't think it's just a Viper issue. We really haven't investigated it
a whole lot, because it's been an intermittent issue. So it's hard to pin down any
commonalities of when it's happening, or why it's happening so.

5

6

GENERAL DISCUSSION (Continued)
e. Other issues
Booker asked Lallak is that something we can take back to Joe and maybe he in his
communications with Lumen, could double check with them as well.
Lallak will make sure that happens.
OLD BUSINESS
a) 9-1-1 Training Resources and Upcoming Events for 9-1-1 pages
a. DHS Swatting Awareness Video: Indicators for Public Safety Telecommunicators
View online.
b) NG911 Committee Membership List, Appointment Forms and Sign-up for Notifications
View online.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
a. DRAFT 2026 Meeting Schedule
Otter Tail County motioned. Swift County seconded. Roll Call Vote: Big Stone – Aye;
Douglas – Aye; Grant – Aye; Kandiyohi – Aye; Mille Lacs – Aye; Otter Tail – Aye; Pope –
Aye; Stearns – Aye; Stevens – Aye; Swift – Aye; Todd – Aye; Wadena – Aye; Wright – Aye.
Motion carried.
b. November 13, 2025 – Teams Meeting
ADJORNMENT
Chair Booker made the executive motion to adjourn the meeting and the motion was carried
unanimously at 10:46 a.m.

Minutes by Shari Gieseke.

6

7

Minnesota

Crisis Intervention Team
Training
Mental Health Awareness Training for
Dispatchers By MNCIT
Date:

January 28, 2026

Times:

0800 - 1700

Course:

Mental Health Awareness for Dispatchers

Cost:

$235.00

Location:

Sauk Rapids Police Department
250 Summit Ave N, Sauk Rapids, MN (Free parking)

Register:

mncit.org

Who should attend: Dispatchers, call-takers and related occupations.
What will be covered:
Information on a mental health crisis, suicide assessment, active
listening and de-escalation methods for dispatchers. Scenarios for
dispatchers with professional actors.

Registration – mncit.org
Questions – Jerry Hutchinson, MNCIT Training Director at
[email protected] (763.607.7667)

8

911 Mapped ALI Solutions State-provided Service: What’s next?
The following message is provided to PSAP community partners on behalf of the Minnesota Department
of Public Safety (DPS), Emergency Communication Networks (ECN) division and the Statewide Emergency
Communications Board (SECB) NG911 Committee.
In 2020, the Department of Public Safety (DPS) Emergency Communication Networks division (ECN)
began providing a mapped ALI solution at no cost to eligible Minnesota public safety answering points
(PSAPs). This hosted solution had been provided by a third-party vendor through a contractual
agreement with ECN, which expired on July 31, 2024.
Based on feedback from the PSAP stakeholder community, ECN worked with the Department of
Administration earlier this year to issue a public solicitation seeking additional options for a mapped ALI
solution, allowing agencies flexibility to select the solution that best meets their individual agency
needs. Two vendor respondents to that solicitation were awarded contracts under Contract Release N21 – RapidDeploy and RapidSOS. Entities registered as Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) members
can utilize these contracts. ECN will issue an E911 eligible use guidance document addressing all
products and services listed on N-21 contracts. It will be included in meeting materials for the November
meeting of the SECB NG911 Committee.
For agencies that have been using RapidDeploy through the state-provided service, ECN purchased
annual licensing renewals off the new contract. License terms began August 1, 2024. There was no
interruption in service.

New Opportunity to Opt-in to State-provided 911 Mapped ALI in 2025
ECN intends to again offer the option to opt in to state-provided 911 mapped ALI service. An opt in
period is planned for CY25 Q1. There will be two options – RapidDeploy Radius and RapidSOS Premium.
Participation is voluntary. During this opt in period, agencies may opt in to either option, or they may
choose to use both solutions side-by-side for a trial period (approximately 12 months). At the end of the
trial period, agencies may choose to renew one of the 911 Mapped ALI services as a state-provided
service, or neither. ECN will ask participating agencies to provide feedback on the solutions being
utilized. Surveys will be one method used to solicit feedback.
At this time, there is a pause on all new implementation of state-provided 911 Mapped ALI service. ECN
is developing written agreements (contracts) for agencies that receive state-provided service. Once a
template agreement is created, ECN will be contacting agencies that currently use RapidDeploy as a
state-provided service in order to get written agreements in place. Written agreements will need to be
signed by an individual with signing authority for the agency. Written agreements will be a prerequisite
for all new implementations beginning in 2025.
ECN will begin gathering interest for the planned opt in period in late 2024. Watch for a 911 Mapped ALI
survey to be distributed on or after November 20, 2024.

Advisory Group Convened

In August, ECN worked with the chair of the SECB NG911 committee to convene an advisory group
comprised of members from each of the seven regions. The advisory group was convened to aid the

Published 11-13-2024

9

development of a broader communication strategy for gathering input from the stakeholder
community.
The advisory group met weekly in the month of September. In collaboration with ECN’s MNIT project
manager and developer, the group developed assessment tools for collecting information on 911
Mapped ALI choices and number of licenses needed (Phase 1) as well as for stakeholder evaluation of
the additional products and services available for purchase off the N-21 contracts (Phase 2).
In October, advisory group members began socializing planned assessment tools in regional meetings
and ECN drafted communications for the advisory group’s review. The group met again the last week of
October and first week of November and planned next steps.

Upcoming Activity

The offering of two 911 mapped ALI solutions as state provided-service is Phase 1 for ECN’s use of N-21
contracts. Phase 2 will be consideration of offering additional N-21 contract products as state-provided
services. For Phase 2, a survey has been developed by the advisory group as a tool to gauge interest and
collect product evaluation information from PSAPs. ECN and the advisory group recommend that the
NG911 committee assign Phase 2 work to a work group which would evaluate survey results and other
stakeholder input in order to draft a recommendation to the Commissioner of Public Safety as to which
products should be considered as state-provided solutions. The draft recommendation should be vetted
through regional governance bodies, with members reporting those outcomes back to the NG911
Committee. A recommendation approved by the NG911 Committee would then be forwarded to the
Statewide Emergency Communications Board for approval as an official recommendation to the
Commissioner of Public Safety.
The contracts are active now and available for use by CPV entities approved by the Department of Public
Safety. An E911 eligible use guidance document will be provided in the meeting packet for the
November 20, 2024 meeting of the SECB NG911 Committee to provide guidance to agencies considering
using their E911 funds to independently purchase products available under Contract Release N-21. If a
region or individual agency independently purchases a product which later is offered as a state-provided
service, both vendors have assured that they can accommodate billing changes, pro rating, etc. to
transfer billing from individual entities to the state. Choosing to purchase a product independently will
not preclude an agency from taking advantage of state-provided services if the offerings change.
However, agencies would not be reimbursed for costs incurred prior to the relevant change in stateprovided offerings.

Questions?

Please feel free to reach out to:
• SECB NG911 Chair Sarah Booker ([email protected])
• ECN MNIT Project Manager Cordell Norman ([email protected])

Published 11-13-2024

10

Informational Bulletin:
Cybersecurity Threat Mitigation for PSAPs
Recommendations
To help protect Minnesota’s Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) from cybersecurity threats, the
Statewide Emergency Communication Board (SECB) recommends that PSAP leaders to work with their
IT partners to consider implementing the following protective measures:
•

User Account Protections:1 Enforce Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and account lockouts;
it is CRITICAL that no remote access is allowed outside of a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
protected by strong authentication. MFA should be included on every possible user account,
including email, web applications, and any location where PSAP data is stored.

•

Vulnerability Management:2 Know the devices used to keep the PSAP operating and ensure
those devices are patched promptly and keep up to date with hardware, software, and firmware.
The average time to exploit vulnerability is down to minutes (CIS Control 7: Continuous
Vulnerability Management)!

•

Isolation of Critical Systems:3 Time to dwell (how long an attacker lurks in your environment)
has decreased to mere moments before they begin exfiltrating data and moving laterally through
your environment, potentially compromising your entire system, including partner PSAPs and
agencies.

Resources
You can read more on various principles of how to measure and implement a mature cyber security
posture here:
•

Center for Internet Security (CIS): The 18 CIS Critical Security Controls
(https://www.cisecurity.org/controls/cis-controls-list) - work to address CIS control 1-10 as your
first milestone then continue on to address CIS control 11 – 18 these will reduce the risk to your
county or city.

•

CIS Critical Security Controls v8.1: Guide to Implementation Groups (IG)
(https://learn.cisecurity.org/controls-v8.1-guide-to-implementation-groups)

•

NENA Security for Next Generation 9-1-1 Standard (NG-SEC):
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.nena.org/resource/resmgr/standards/STA-040.22024_SecurityforNG.pdf

Document History
Created: 08.12.25

Approved: 08.12.25

Revisions:

1

CIS Control 5: Account Management
CIS Control 1: Inventory and Control of Enterprise Assets & CIS Control 2: Inventory and Control of Software
Assets
3
CIS Control 8: Audit Log Management & CIS Control 6: Access Management
2

Page 1 of 1

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MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Emergency Communication Networks
445 Minnesota Street • Suite 1725 • Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101
Phone: 651.201.7547 • Fax: 651.297.5728 • TTY: 651.282.6555
dps.mn.gov

Alcohol
and Gambling
Enforcement
Bureau of
Criminal
Apprehension
Driver
and Vehicle
Services
Emergency
Communication
Networks
Homeland
Security and
Emergency
Management
Minnesota
State Patrol
Office of
Communications
Office of
Justice Programs
Office of
Pipeline Safety
Office of
Traffic Safety
State Fire
Marshal

TO:

ECN Partners and Stakeholders

FROM:

Leah Palmer, Director – Emergency Communication Networks

DATE:

February 26, 2025

RE:

NG911 Planning and Transition

What is the current status of the solicitation for Next Generation 911 Core Services?
After careful review and consideration, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS)
Emergency Communication Networks (ECN) division, in consultation and partnership with
the Department of Administration Office of State Procurement (OSP), has made the decision
to not issue an award for the solicitation of Next Generation 911 Core Services (NGCS),
ESInet Egress and 911 Control Center (SWIFT Event ID 2000013268). Pending the
development of a strategic roadmap for NG911, ECN and OSP intend to revise the
specifications and reissue a solicitation, or solicitations, for future NGCS.
What this means for PSAPs
Although an award for NGCS was not issued, public safety answering points (PSAPs) may still
use the special funds they received in October 2023 on projects that will help them improve
future NG911 capabilities. These funds may still be spent on any 911-eligible expense;
however, goods and services purchased must be received no later than June 30, 2025. For
more information, please visit https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/ecn/911-program.
Our plan for developing an effective and reliable 911 network
Every day, Minnesotans rely on the 911 network to summon vital emergency services across
the state. In 2024, PSAPs across the state took over 3.1 million emergency 911 calls.
Connecting Minnesotans experiencing an emergency or crisis to a public safety
telecommunicator is the utmost priority for ECN, and the 911 network is essential to this
purpose.
Whether it is artificial intelligence (AI), wearable devices that can detect a heart attack, or
satellite internet delivering connectivity to the most remote areas of the world, technology
continues to evolve at lightning speed. Such advancements also have the potential to help
revolutionize public safety, especially at dispatch centers in Minnesota.
However, such changes must follow careful research, evaluation, and a structured plan for
implementation to ensure their effectiveness and reliability. Developing a comprehensive
“Minnesota Next Generation 911 Roadmap” is essential. The foundation of this work is a

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

12

stakeholder-focused strategic planning initiative that involves prioritizing the needs, interests, and
perspectives of those reliant on the 911 network and PSAPs across the state.
Working with stakeholders to develop the Next Generation 911 Roadmap
ECN looks forward to working with stakeholders to develop this framework to help inform future
statewide investments and decisions to help modernize the 911 ecosystem. Delivering Next
Generation Core Services is one of many critical components that will be factored into a holistic
Minnesota Next Generation 911 Roadmap. ECN will also collaborate with partners from across the
public safety community to evaluate and propose updated language in Minnesota Statute 403, which
governs emergency communications. Stakeholders should look for further communications in the
coming months regarding next steps toward a wholistic shaping of NG911 for Minnesota.

13

September 10, 2025
Dear School Administrator:
As you may know, in the 2024 legislative session the Minnesota legislature allocated $7 million
from the 9-1-1 special revenue fund to fund a program to accomplish digital geographic
information system (GIS) mapping for all K-12 school facilities, public and private, including preK and ECSE, across Minnesota. Participation in the project is free of charge to schools and is
voluntary for schools. I urge all schools to participate
The goal of the project is to digitally map participating school facilities (public, charter,
intermediate schools districts/cooperative units, Minnesota State Academies, private, and tribal
schools) and provide the resulting maps for both school use, but also to law enforcement for
public safety response, including having the maps available in a public safety answering point
(PSAP) or 9-1-1 call center to assist in providing improved 9-1-1 caller location and improved
facility access and emergency response information to first responders when responding to
schools.
Information school administrators should know about this project:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

School participation is voluntary
Data/maps must be delivered to participating schools at no cost to schools/school
districts
Data from the vendor must be provided in a format that permits schools to share the
data with law enforcement agencies
The data is nonpublic
Data must be compatible with security software platforms used by participating schools
without requiring the schools to purchase additional software or requiring a fee to view or
access the data.
Per statutory requirements, the contracted mapping vendor must verify data for accuracy
following a physical walkthrough of school facilities
Data produced by this grant should be incorporated as part of school safety and
response plans
Data must be perpetually available to schools and law enforcement agencies
Maps must be provided to schools and work completed by June 30, 2026

For most of the state, except for the Southwest Region (see attached map), the project is being
administered by the Metropolitan Emergency Services Board (MESB), which is working with
other regional emergency communications/services boards and local government officials to
coordinate this project. The MESB will award the contract for this project.

14

Page 2, Letter to School Administrators
September 10, 2025

In the coming weeks, you will be contacted by officials in your area regarding the project and to
schedule times to gather data. In the meantime, for all schools except those in the southwestern
portion of the state, please complete the attached form and return it to the email address listed
on the form.
Please feel free to contact me with questions at [email protected] or at (651) 643-8394.
Once again, I urge your school or school district’s participation in this program.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Jill Rohret
Executive Director
Enclosures (2)

15

16

DIGITAL GIS MAPPING OF
SCHOOL FACILITIES PROJECT
OPT-IN/OPT-OUT FORM
Please fill out this form to state whether a school or schools in a school district will
participate in the Digital GIS Mapping of School Facilities Project.
Is this form being completed for a:

☐School

☐School District

School/School District Name:
Contact Name & Title:
Contact Phone & Email Address:
School/School District Address:

Is the above contact to be used to schedule walk-throughs?

☐Yes

☐No

This school/school district:
☐

Will participate in the Digital GIS Mapping of School Facilities Project

☐

Will not participate in the Digital GIS Mapping of School Facilities Project

Questions? Please contact Jill Rohret at [email protected] or (651) 643-8394.
Please send completed forms to: [email protected]

17

SECB NG911 Committee
The SECB NG 911 Committee advises the SECB on all matters relating to NG 911. The committee will recommend to the board uniform 911-network
design characteristics, policies and procedures based on best practices and industry standards to ensure PSAP interoperability using open architecture
and the implementation of a coordinated statewide NG 911 plan. The NG 911 Committee will plan the migration to, utilization of, and the continued
operation and maintenance for the statewide interoperable next generation 911 system.
Goals

Support the
development and
implementation of a
Capital Improvement
Plan (CIP) for the 911
system.

Support the
implementation and
sustainment of NG
911 capabilities in
Minnesota’s PSAPs.

Objectives

Actions

Work with the Finance
• Develop a list of projects
Committee, other SECB
(technology and
committees and key
equipment) that will
stakeholders to:
sustain and/or enhance
• Identify future 911
911 system capabilities.
technology, equipment
and operational needs. • Identify the feasibility
• Develop criteria for
and potential costs
prioritizing these needs.
associated with
• Identify costs associated
achieving the desired
with addressing these
capabilities.
needs.
• Identify necessary
actions to complete the
statewide
implementation of NG
• Identify the actions
911 capabilities.
necessary to ensure
• Develop standards and
reliability,
best practices to support
interoperability and use
the implementation and
of commonly accepted
sustainment of NG 911
standards as
capabilities.
Minnesota’s PSAPs fully
• Develop a multi-year
implement NG 911
plan for the
capabilities.
implementation and
sustainment of NG 911
capabilities across the
state.

Metrics for Success

Timeline

Ownership

The SECB approves and
adopts a multi-year CIP to
help guide future
investments in the
statewide 911 system.

Ongoing
effort
throughout
three-year
SCIP cycle.

• NG 911 Committee
• Finance Committee
• Other SECB
Committees
• Other key
stakeholders

• The SECB approves and
adopts standards
(technical and
operational), best
practices and a multiyear plan for the
implementation and
sustainment of NG 911
capabilities across the
state.

Ongoing
effort
throughout
three-year
SCIP cycle.

• NG 911 Committee
• Other SECB
Committees
• Other key
stakeholders

18
NG911 Committee Meeting Materials 019

Goals

Increased awareness
regarding the current
state of PSAP
technology, staffing
and operations.

Advocate for
programs and
appropriate funding
to meet the
technology and
equipment needs of
Minnesota’s PSAPs.

Objectives

Actions

Metrics for Success

Timeline

Ownership

The SECB has current and
relevant information
available to help guide
decision making related to
911 system technology,
staffing and operations.

Ongoing
effort
throughout
three-year
SCIP cycle.

• NG 911 Committee
• Other SECB
Committees
• Other key
stakeholders

• Develop a fact sheet
• Identify PSAP funding
regarding the ongoing
needs and priorities.
funding needs of
• Develop a fact sheet
Minnesota’s PSAPs.
• Increase stakeholder
regarding the funding
• Committee members
awareness and
needs of Minnesota’s
participate in annual
understanding regarding
PSAPs.
outreach activities to
the critical role that a
• Conduct outreach to
educate and inform
stable (and sufficient)
educate and inform
decision makers
PSAP funding mechanism
decision makers and key
regarding the ongoing
plays in ensuring the
stakeholders regarding
funding needs of
safety of Minnesota’s
the need for a stable
Minnesota’s PSAPs.
residents, visitors and
funding mechanism to
• Enact legislation that
emergency responders.
support the current and
provides Minnesota’s
future operational needs
PSAPs with adequate,
of Minnesota’s PSAPs.
stable funding to meet
their operational needs.

Ongoing
effort
throughout
three-year
SCIP cycle.

• NG 911 Committee
• Finance Committee
• Legislative Committee
• Other SECB
Committees
• Other key
stakeholders

• Support data gathering
• Survey PSAPs to gather
efforts to gain insight
data regarding
into the current PSAP
technology, staffing and
operational
operations.
environment.
• Develop
• Promote stakeholder
recommendations
awareness regarding the
regarding the ongoing
need to review and
review and maintenance
update 911 plans on a
of 911 plans.
regular basis.

19
NG911 Committee Meeting Materials 020

Central MN Emergency Services Board
2026 Training Roadmap
Courses and/or Requests
Radio Programming Workshop
CASM
APX/CPS Radio Programming 3-day
ARMER Train the Trainer (TTT) 2-day
ARMER TTT Refresher
ARMER Dispatch 1-Day (Multiple Counties)
ARMER Dispatch 1-Day (Multiple Counties)
ARMER Dispatch 1/2 Day (Swift/Traverse)
COMU/COML/INTD (Specific plans TBD) 5-day
NG911 Transition Plan IT/GIS Training

Track
ARMER
CASM
ARMER
ARMER
ARMER
ARMER
ARMER
NG911
COMU
NG911

Hrs Limit
N/A
N/A

Date

Location/Notes

20
20
50
50

2026
2026
11-Jun
2026?

Stearns County

EMAC Courses
TEEX Cyber and EOC

Track
EMAC

Hrs Limit
Date
Location/Notes
8
30 7/21-7/23, 2026Alexandria

Previous Courses:
Active Shooter
Crisis Comm & Suicide Intervention
Foundations of EM Mental Health Dispatch
ARMER Dispatch (1 day)
ARMER Dispatch (2 half-day)
ARMER Radio Trainer
REFRESHER: ARMER Radio Trainer
ARMER System Administrator
APX Radio Programming Workshop
APX Advanced programming features
ICS/Communication Planning
All Hazards Incident Dispatcher
Search and Rescue Incident Management
MCC7500/7100 Console Configuration
CASM - Level 1/2

Last Year Held:
2023
2023
2022
2024
2023
2022
2022
2022
2019
2019
2019
2019
2019
2018
2016

24

Quote

Kandiyohi County
Alex Tech?
Swift/Traverse
20 Jan 26-29, 2026 St. Joseph City Hall
Total

Amount:
$4,500
$4,500
$4,500
$2,700
$2,500/2
$4,500
$2,300
$9,500
$8,700
$1,300
$4,000
$4,000
$1,500
$3,000
$1,350
https://mnecb.org/313/Training

Grant Total Non-Grant Total

$10,000
$5,700
$3,000
$2,700
$2,700
$2,700
$15,000

$2,700

$41,800

$2,700

Quote

$1,449

$2,700

$4,149

Grant Total Non-Grant Total

Do you have suggestions for other trainings?
Programming consoles
COMX sign-off
PSAP Leadership Training
Emerging Leaders Training
Resiliency Training
Active Shooter (Swift County)

2012/30/2025

What is NERIS?
The National Emergency Response Information System (NERIS) is replacing the National Fire Incident Reporting
System (NFIRS), which has collected fire incident data since the 1970s.
NFIRS has become outdated and no longer supports the needs of the U.S. Fire Administration and fire service.
NERIS will allow for a more expansive data collection and analytics and will modernize the way information is
collected and utilized for a variety of purposes, including enhancing community safety and making better
operational decisions.

What does this mean for fire departments?
NERIS comes with changes in reporting requirements for fire departments, with department onboarding set to be
completed by January 2026.
Additional or different information may be needed by departments for completing NERIS reports
o Some required fields are changing regardless of if a department utilizes CAD integration or manual entry
reporting methods.

Are CAD/RMS integrations available?
Yes, but CAD vendors are not necessarily updating for NERIS compliance currently. Departments who currently
utilize or plan to utilize an API connecting their CAD/RMS to the NERIS reporting platforms should discuss the change
with their vendors.
Fire RMS companies such as ImageTrend, First Due and ESO are encouraging their customers (fire departments) who
have auto-CAD integrations to reach out to begin CAD setups with NERIS forms at least four weeks ahead of their
anticipated change from NFIRS to NERIS reporting. Depending on the fire department, fire RMS company and CAD
software, it is possible PSAPs may receive some inquires during the CAD setup and integrations.

What does this mean for PSAPs?
PSAPs may need to record additional information into CFS to account for the new reporting requirements.
o Times of specific actions (contained/controlled, water, specialty on scene)
o Location and use types
PSAPs should discuss with their fire departments about the possibility of using different coding for events to help
align with new/updated fields.
Conversations are needed between fire departments and PSAPs to discuss specific needs/requirements.
o Planning is underway for facilitated education sessions once NERIS goes live (Dec. 1, 2025).

21

More information:
Minnesota State Fire Marshal - https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/sfm/fire-depts/reporting-yourdata/changing-nfirs-neris
Fire Safety Research Institute - https://neris.fsri.org/
U.S. Fire Administration - https://www.usfa.fema.gov/nfirs/neris/

22

CENTRAL MINNESOTA NEXT GENERATION 911 COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Attendance Recap - 2025
Name

OPEN
Henrichsen, Stacy
Fraley, Julia
Dusing, Katie
Zika, Joyce
Brown, Mark (Sheriff)
OPEN
Egan, Tom - Vice Chair
Smith, Kevin
Larson, Kaycea
McGrath, Tina
Ulrich, Joshua
Vipond, Jennifer
Norstegard, Jody
Tollefson, Eric (Sheriff)
Bauman, Kent
Parlato, Alex
Hudson, Bill
Amie Bergquist
Beckstrom, Andy
Martinson, Holly
MacKissock, Victoria
Holman, Jane
Karlgaard, Jason
Seim, Greg
Armstrong, Tyler
Brecht, Nathan
Thesing, Eric
Gates, Bryan
Riley, Tim (Sheriff)
Lindquist, Tina
Burke, Michele
Richter, Joel
Housey, Shannon
Lieser, Mary
Terwey, Mary
Lahr, Kristen
Koehler, Brian
Reed, Jason
Greiner, Dona
Koosman, Tracy
Holtz, John (Sheriff)
Hoffman, Mike
Booker, Sarah - Chair
Barber, Jon
Allen, Mike
Bartz, Brenda
Forcier, Greg
Penner, Erika
Savaloja, Bryan
Stroeing, Tim
Harris, Anthony
Reddy, Darlene
Sand, Jodi
Dubois, Haley
Nevala, Richard

Entity
City of St. Cloud
City of St. Cloud
Benton County
Benton County
Benton County
Big Stone County
Big Stone County
Douglas County
Douglas County
Douglas County
Grant County
Grant County
Grant County
Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County
Meeker County
Meeker County
Meeker County
Mille Lacs County
Mille Lacs County
Morrison County
Morrison County
Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County
Pope County
Pope County
Pope County
Pope County
Pope County
Stearns County
Stearns County
Stearns County
Stearns County
Stearns County
Stearns County
Stevens County
Stevens County
Stevens County
Swift County
Swift County
Swift County
Todd County
Todd County
Todd County
Traverse County
Traverse County
Wadena County
Wadena County
Wadena County
Wilkin County
Wilkin County
Wilkin County
Wright County
Wright County

Total Members in Attendance
Total Entities in Attendance Out of 19
(Need 10 for Quorum)

J

F

X

X

M

A

X

X

X

X

X
X

X
X

M

Month
J
J

S

O

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X
X

X
X

X

X
X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X
X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

A

X
X

X

X

N

D

0

0

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

16
13

14
13

X
X

X
X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X
X

X

X

17
15

16
14

15
13

14
13

14
13

0

0

X

0

X

23
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