Tennessee’s local emergency communications officials have presented Rep. Mike Carter, R-Ooltewah, with their 2016 Legislator of the Year award for his support of issues aimed at putting 911 operations on a more secure funding basis.
John Stuermer, director of the Hamilton County Emergency Communications District and chairman of the statewide Tennessee 911 Association, praised Carter for his role in “ensuring public safety in Tennessee is protected and prepared for the future.”
As a result of new requirements enacted last year by state lawmakers, Stuermer said, “Tennessee’s 911 revenue will remain stable through accountability.”
He added the group believes Hamilton County residents are “fortunate to have a public servant” like Carter “and we in the emergency communications district appreciate his focus on public safety.”
The 2016 law provided for the state Department of Revenue to assume responsibility for collecting e911 charges from telecommunications providers on behalf of the Tennessee Emergency Communications Board.
Stuermer said the solution provides a “more efficient method of collections, for carriers and the TECB, while improving compliance.”
Carter said he recognizes “the important responsibility our emergency communication districts have. This is serious business and we need to make sure the public can rely on our 911 system to be the highest functioning and stable service as it can possibly be and to that extend, I will continue [to] help as much as I can.”
TN911 is a nonprofit association comprised of the Tennessee emergency communication districts directors and executive board members. The group’s mission is advocating for improvements in Tennessee’s overall emergency communications system.