The Most Important Phone Line

publication date: Aug 14, 2008

 | 

author/source: Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

By Jonathan Copsey / STAFF

Alpharetta City Council unanimously approved the purchase of a new 911 system for the new state-of-the-art command center.

The current system is a Motorola model that is no longer supported, with parts having to be bought on eBay. Both Motorola and AT&T responded to the call for a new system. While Motorola’s bid came in cheaper, the city selected an AT&T model.

There were several reasons why AT&T was chosen, the single most important being time. With Motorola, updates would have to be made every few weeks, with staff spending eight hours updating the system; the AT&T system can be updated with the push of a button. Add to that the fact that if a problem arises, AT&T guarantees a diagnosis to be within 20 minutes and a solution within four hours. Motorola says a diagnosis would begin within two hours and has no solution guarantee.

An example of this problem recently happened, with Motorola taking two weeks to solve a problem, arguing that it was a phone line issue. It was not.

This leads to one of the biggest advantages of having AT&T as the service provider: they already own the phone lines. Regardless of the system chosen, AT&T operates the phone lines. With the AT&T system, AT&T servicemen can determine a problem and fix it, no matter where it is on the line. Deputy Director of Safety Carl Hall said, “All the way from that phone line outside to the receiver where you get a dial tone, AT&T is responsible for that.”

“This is the very most important phone line that the City of Alpharetta answers,” said Public Safety Director Gary George.

“I think having a central vendor is essential,” said Mayor Arthur Letchas. “The 911 center is the most important thing we do. Whatever we can do to make sure there is no delay, it’s a big deal.”

Council voted unanimously to support it.

Milton Automatic Aid
As of October 1, Alpharetta and Milton will be sharing their emergency services thanks to a new automatic aid agreement.

The two cities recently merged their 911 emergency services, and this agreement takes it one step further.

“It’s all about the first responder,” explained George. “Who gets there first. We are still responsible for the city of Alpharetta and Milton is still responsible for Milton. However we are both rolling a unit there, it’s about who gets there first.”

Because of the unique arrangement of Alpharetta and Milton’s borders, there are some areas of the cities that one can reach quicker than the other. Under the automatic aid agreement, Milton would keep it’s firetruck and some personnel at an Alpharetta station. That allows Alpharetta firefighters to be freed up for other stations.

“I think it’s a win-win agreement,” said Letchas.

Councilman Jim Paine made a motion to approve the agreement and the motion passed unanimously.

Milton Director of Public Safety Chris Lagerbloom was on hand for the vote and commented, “I think its just a great thing for both cities. Thank you for what you’ve done to help us and I hope our relationship continues.”

Milton passed its side of the agreement earlier in the evening.

Mda firefighters appreciation month
Letchas issued a proclamation declaring August the Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Firefighters Appreciation month.

For the past 54 years, more than 250,000 firefighters from the U.S. and Canada have supported the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) by raising over $240 million. Last year, Alpharetta’s firefighters raised $23,000. The MDA raises money and awareness for the prevention and cure of neuromuscular diseases.

Appearing with a shift of firefighters, Emily Kliens of the MDA gave Alpharetta a plea to donate to the firefighters as they stand out in the streets asking for donations. More than 250 families in Fulton County, several in North Fulton and more than 2,000 in Northern Atlanta receive aid from the MDA.

“Over the past 8 years MDA has been invaluable to our family and has made life bearable,” said Valerie Kelly, whose son Mitch has muscular dystrophy. “We have the firefighters to thank for that. We can’t thank you enough. I’ve told you before and I’ll tell you again and again, you have no idea what it means to our family. You make life good for us. Thank you for what you do and for your support.”

Letchas echoed that sentiment: “Thank you all for what you do.”