Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (RCECD)

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (June 12, 2023) Murfreesboro Emergency Communications Center (MECC) Communications Specialist II Jeffery Harter receives the Emergency Number Professionals (ENP) Certification, becoming one of only seven in Rutherford County to attain the prestigious professional designation.

Harter was notified he received the ENP Certification in April 2023.  Harter is a one-year MECC employee with more than 17 years emergency communications experience. 

According to the National Emergency Numbers Association (NENA – The 911 Association), the ENP certification establishes the benchmarks of performance that signify a broad-based competence in the professional field. ENP Certification recipients will:

• Demonstrate a mastery of the comprehensive knowledge base required for emergency number program management.
• Help to raise industry standards and increase the respect and prestige of those involved in 9-1-1.
• Confirm your commitment to the 9-1-1 profession by showing yourself to be a leader in public safety and pledging yourself to stay aware of current issues and developments in the field.

Harter is the 4^th MECC employee to attain the ENP Certification. The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District holds the other ENP Certifications.

https://www.murfreesborotn.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?aid=4179&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook

Pursuant to T.C.A. 8-44-1 Below please find the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Board of Directors meeting agenda for Friday June 9th, 2023. The board will conduct this regularly scheduled meeting at 10:00 am CDT in the John D. Hood 911 Administrative & Training Center located at 591 Fortress Boulevard, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Agenda

I. Call To Order
II. Opening Prayer
III. Pledge of Allegiance
IV. Roll Call
V. Approval of Minutes
April 21, 2023 Board Meeting
VI. Old Business
(A) Everbridge Resident Connection
(B) Request for Additional Call Handling Equipment Policy
VII. New Business
(A) FY 2022-2023 Budget Amendments
VIII. FY 2023-2024 Budget
(A) Adoption of FY 2023-2024 Budget
IX. Financial Reports
(A) Chief David Breniser
(B) Cassie Lowery
X. Director’s Report
(A) System Status
XI. Any Other Business
XII. Adjourn

Pursuant to T.C.A. 8-44-103, notice is hereby given that the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Board of Directors will conduct their regularly scheduled meetings at 10:00 A.M. in the John D. Hood 911 Administrative & Training Center located at 591 Fortress Boulevard, Murfreesboro, Tennessee on the following dates in 2023:

Friday, April 21, 2023 (Public Hearing – FY 2023-2024 Budget)

Friday, June 9, 2023

Friday, September 15, 2023

Friday, December 8, 2023

Pursuant to T.C.A. 8-44-103, public notice is hereby given that the April 8, 2022, regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting (Public Hearing – FY2022-2023 Budget) of the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District has been canceled, due to the lack of a quorum. The monthly meeting has been rescheduled and will be held on April 22, 2022, at 10:00 A.M. in the John D. Hood 911 Administrative & Training Center located at 591 Fortress Boulevard, Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

Pursuant to T.C.A. 8-44-103, notice is hereby given that the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Board of Directors has called a special meeting for March 24, 2022 at 10:00 A.M. The meeting will be held in the John D. Hood 911 Administrative & Training Center located at 591 Fortress Boulevard Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the following agenda items:

1. Vogue Towers Lease Proposal
2. Director’s Pending Retirement Notice

The District will conduct the public hearing on the proposed FY 2022-2023 Budget at their regularly scheduled Board meeting on April 8, 2022 at 1:00 P.M.

911 Operations Coordinator

The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (RCECD) is seeking qualified applicants for the job classification of 911 Operations Coordinator.  This is a full-time position.

Job description and application for employment may be obtained at the District’s office located at 591 Fortress Boulevard, Murfreesboro between the hours of 8:00 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. Monday through Friday or by clicking on the Download links below:

This position will remain open until filled.  Salary range is $50,144 – $55,350 depending on qualifications. 

Applications can be submitted to e911@rcecd911.org or dropped off at the District’s office located at 591 Fortress Boulevard, Murfreesboro. 

The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (RCECD) does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status in the provision of services, in programs, activities, or employment opportunities and benefits. The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District is an equal opportunity employer.

Recognition coincides with National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (April 11 – 17, 2021)
and 911 Education Month

MURFREESBORO, TN – Since being officially designated by Congress in 1991, public safety agencies across the country have recognized the instrumental role played by 911 telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. Public Safety Telecommunicators are the dedicated professionals who answer 911 calls from citizens, process requests for service, and utilize technical skills to provide communications support to law enforcement, fire and rescue departments and emergency medical services. This week in April is dedicated to America’s truly “First-First Responders” who serve our communities as public safety telecommunicators. These “technology” responders have shown extra commitment and dedication during the many difficulties brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Nashville Christmas Day bombing.

The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District (RCECD) recognizes these important public safety professionals for their contributions and public service to their community.
“It has been a long-standing tradition that the RCECD has dedicated time each year to recognize the outstanding women and men who answer the public’s calls to 911 seeking help”, said Steve Smith, RCECD Director. “Daily news events serve to remind us of the important role 911 public safety personnel play in response to all emergencies. They work diligently under stressful situations to keep our emergency personnel and citizens safe. Their professionalism, compassion, and skills are unrivaled. We want to recognize and honor them for the essential and critical job they do 24 hours/365 days a year.”

“The Rutherford County Emergency Communications District continues to ensure that our 911 public safety answering points are provided the most current 911 technologies available. The benefits of these technologies, however, would not be fully realized without the dedicated service of those individuals recognized by their individual agencies and the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District during this week”, said Smith.

Created by public referendum in 1986, the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District provides Next Generation 9-1-1 emergency communications services through five public safety answering points operating within Rutherford County. (LaVergne Police Department, Smyrna Police Department, Murfreesboro Police Department, Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, and Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services.)

During 2020, the RCECD 911 system and public safety agency 911 telecommunicators handled over 127,000 calls placed to 911 for emergency assistance.

Governor Bill Lee has proclaimed the week of April 11 through April 17, 2021 as ‘Public Safety Telecommunicators Week’ in Tennessee.

Thank you to all of our telecommunicators who work to safeguard the public and our emergency response officials across Rutherford County and Tennessee!

Due to an AT&T Network Outage, citizens will not be able to dial 911 or call jurisdictional administrative phone lines at this time.  As an alternate measure, please contact each public safety answering point using the following numbers:

Murfreesboro Police Department – (629) 201-5056

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department – (615) 546-5793

Smyrna Police Department – (615) 930-2067

Lavergne Police Department – (615) 471-1103

Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services – (615) 546-5801

Rutherford County Emergency Communications District’s (RCECD) 9-1-1 Administration and Training Center will be displaying a new name on Friday, September 11, 2020. The center is being named for long-time board member and treasurer John D. Hood.

During a small virtual ceremony just before the 9-1-1 Board meeting, the building will be dedicated in Hood’s honor, and the new signage will be unveiled as, the “John D. Hood 9-1-1 Administration and Training Center.”

“We could not think of anyone more deserving of this honor,” said RCECD Director Steve Smith. “Mr. Hood has been such an incredible figure representing the Rutherford County community over the years, and he has been a tremendous asset to our communications team.”

Hood has been board member and treasurer since the group’s inception in 1986. He is the longest-standing member in the board’s history.

Rutherford County Mayor Bill Ketron commented, “You cannot be from Rutherford County without hearing the name ‘John Hood’ at least once. He has served this community well in many different ways. I was proud to nominate John for this honor for his years of service to the 9-1-1 Board. His name and his impact will be remembered for years to come.”

Background on Hood

John D. Hood was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee to Emil and Christine Hood. He attended Crichlow Elementary, Central High School and graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 1954 with an undergraduate degree in social science. While attending MTSU, John worked at a local radio station, WGNS, as a staff announcer. After receiving his undergraduate degree, John spent two years in the Army. After leaving the military, John returned to the area to work as the news and program director for WMTS radio. John also worked for 10 years at MTSU as the director of development and then as an assistant to the president. While working at MTSU, John graduated with a master’s degree in education. After leaving MTSU in 1976, John worked in the banking industry for the next twenty years. In 1996, John was elected as a state representative for the 48th District, serving in that capacity for twelve years. In 2008, he returned to MTSU where he is currently the director of government and community affairs.

John has served in our community as a past president of the Rutherford County Chamber Of Commerce, a past member and chairman of the Murfreesboro City School Board, a past president of the Tennessee School Boards Association, a former member of the Rutherford County Quarterly Court (now Commission), current member and treasurer of the Rutherford County Emergency Communications District Board Of Directors and a former member and chairman of the Tennessee Advisory Board. Since 1951, he also served as a charter member of the Exchange Club Of Murfreesboro where he served as president at the club, district and national levels.

John has been honored for his service to the community over the years. In 2010, he was inducted into the Court Of Honor at the National Headquarters. In 2012, he received the Murfreesboro City Schools Foundation Excellence in Education award. John was named the Rutherford County Chamber Of Commerce Business Legend Of The Year for 2013. In 2016, he was inducted into the Tennessee Journalism Hall Of Fame and in 2017, he was honored at the Heart of Tennessee Chapter of the American Red Cross Heroes Breakfast.

John and his wife, Marilyn, were married for over 60 years and have three children, four grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

We will carry this event live on our Facebook page, 9/11/2020, beginning at 12:30 CT.

(from WGNS Radio)