Staff recommends accepting the $34,472.00 in funding to be used for upgrading to a 'Next-Gen' capable IP (Internet Provider) Network (ESINet - Emergency Services Internet). 

Acceptance of this grant award will pay for the one-time cost of $34,472.00 to move from the analog telephone system to the 'Next-Gen' capable IP based ESINet system.  A 'Next-Gen' capable system will allow the 9-1-1 Center to receive information from callers that is not restricted to voice based information.  As technology expands and mobile phones become the norm,  9-1-1 Emergency Operation Centers need to be able to receive calls for help from the public in new ways, such as text messages, data streams, videos.

City Council may approve or disapprove acceptance of the grant award from the State of Montana to be used to upgrade from an analog telephone system to an IP Network.  The 9-1-1 Center will have to migrate to a Next Gen capable IP based telephone system sooner rather than later in order to keep up with existing technology.

The costs associated with upgrading to a Next Gen capable 9-1-1 Center as well as other communications technology is funded by fees collected by the telephone service provider and paid to the State of Montana to provide 9-1-1 emergency service within the state.