Volume 3, Issue 1 Jan/Feb 2008 (Bi-Monthly Issue) Window Rock,

Inside this issue:

Task Force Meeting Format Changes 2 KTNN Forum on NN E9-1-1 2 Rural Addressing Update 2 9-1-1 Wal-Mart Events in Gallup, ... 3 9-1-1 Kids Logo Contest Winners 3 Division of Health & Bio-Terrorism 3 E-9-1-1 Up Coming Events 4

Transition summarized by E911 Consultant, Ron Whinery and Deputy Director, Stanley Yazzie with Task Force Members and several Chapters representatives: 1st Picture: Cameron Chapter President, Teddy When should you Bedonie in blue shirt. 2nd Picture: Black Mesa CSC, Edbert Little and Round Rock CLUP, Mike Deswood. use 9-1-1? On January 29, 2008, the Nation velopment and the individual Departments. • In an emergency situation only E9-1-1 Task Force met at the Navajo The recommended changes are necessary to when immediate assistance is Nation Museum. The Task Force recom- move the rural addressing and enhanced 9-1- needed from police, fire or medi- mended the E9-1-1 compliant Rural Ad- 1 to reality. The Division of Community De- cal emergency personnel. velopment Departments included in the re- dressing System be established as a new • A call to 9-1-1 should always be a view were Capital Improvement, Design and administrative component within the call for HELP!! Division of Community Development. Engineering Services, Navajo Department of The component is charged with develop- Transportation, Block Grant Department, • It is free to call 9-1-1 from a pay- ing, implementing, and maintaining the Navajo Housing Services Department, Solid phone. inception of technological tracking Waste Management, and Local Governance means to identify, locate, and record Support Center. The breakout session drafted database on all 9-1-1 calls the Navajo the wording changes for each plan of opera- Navajo Division of Health/ Nation. The office will initially hire two tions, where relevant to accommodate the Bio-Terrorism Program staff members consisting of a Rural Ad- integration of the new office; the participants dressing Coordinator and a Rural Ad- drafted a proposed organizational chart incor- The Navajo Division of Health/Bio- dressing Technician. The breakout ses- porating the new office. Terrorism Program (NBTP) has the re- sion recommended that the Rural Ad- Stanley Yazzie, who lead the breakout ses- sponsibility to the in its dressing Coordinator and Rural Address- sion said, “This new venture is exciting for preparedness for public health incidents ing Technician be centrally located and all our Navajo citizens. It is a step towards and events and planning to respond to assist chapters that are ready to move better delivery of emergency help for all.” such outbreaks. The strategy is complex forward with rural addressing. The fu- Ron Whinery thanked all participants who because it addresses specifically public ture goal is establishment of a Rural Ad- greatly contributed worthwhile inputs. Nota- health rather than natural disasters which dressing Department with full staff to ble contributors were Stanley Yazzie, occur seasonally such as flooding, snow, coordinate at each agency and keep up Anselm Morgan, Peggy Sue Nez, Wilford fire, etc. The public health response to with the field maintenance responsibility Lane, Walter Hudson, Gordon Toadlena and virus, bacteria, plague, contagious dis- of rural addressing. The project, already Will Tsosie. ease, bio hazards is usually not predict- underway with the Tohajiilee pilot pro- able or deadly. The list of potential virus ject, will greatly assist the Navajo citi- and disease that can occur on the Navajo zens in receiving help quicker in an Nation is extensive and can impact the emergency when police, fire, medical health and safety of all Navajo people sources, and other emergency needs are and entities. required. The primary actions that will be accom- The task force breakout session led by plished by the NBTP during the year Stanley Yazzie and facilitated by Ron include: Whinery, with inputs from other mem- 1. Determine the strengths and weak- bers, reviewed and recommended nesses of the Navajo Nation in its level changes to the current Plans of Opera- of preparedness and response to inci- tion for the Division of Community De- Task Force Members attending the meeting. dents and events of Continued on Page 3 V OLUME 3, ISSUE 1 PAGE 2 Task Force Meeting Format Changes Due to Transition The Task Force meeting format is being help make the initiative a success, they need changed to accommodate the transition of to be identified and requested. responsibilities to individual functional With functional organizations taking over organizations. Several organizations are more responsibilities and having a vested taking over new responsibilities that natu- interest in producing successful results, rally fit with their overall organizations’ more progress will be achievable between Plan of Operation. These responsibilities Task Force meetings. This will help keep support new processes identified and re- the initiatives focused and accelerate results. quired to provide continuity to the rural addressing and enhanced 9-1-1 initiatives Navajo Nation-wide. Task Force Members working on Meeting Format Changes. The newly defined processes require timely and accurate cross-functional co- interdependencies between organizations, ordination to meet the new levels of ser- this will allow multiple organizations to vice required. Hence, individual respon- meet their newly identified goals and ob- Rural addressing is somewhat new to most sibilities come together to contribute to jectives by contributing to their mutual Navajo Chapters across the Nation. The the success of new processes being de- success. Navajo Nation had under taken this task in signed to increase the level of service the 1980’s, but did not complete the work The Key Individual will be responsible for when the funding was depleted. It was not provided by Public Safety to the Diné. leading and facilitating the breakout ses- until 2005, when the newly created En- Each individual organization’s Key Indi- sions and ensuring that notes from the hanced 9-1-1 Task Force was created, that vidual will coordinate with the E9-1-1 meeting are developed and distributed, the need for a rural addressing system staff, consultant and other organizations action items identified, assignments made again became the subject of discussion. It to prioritize issues and develop effective and completed in a timely manner to keep quickly became apparent before enhanced breakout session agendas for future Task the initiative on-track. If additional inter- 9-1-1 could be implemented, that a rural Force meetings. Because of the process nal or external resources are required to addressing system had to be completed for all Navajo communities or chapters. A Local Governance Support Center staff KTNN FORUM ON NAVAJO NATION E911 member in each of the five agencies were assigned to work with the Task Force and Larry explained that emergency 9-1-1 calls be the liaison with the local chapters.

are call-forwarded, which is not truly a 9-1- Some chapters on the Navajo Nation have 1 system. Emergency 9-1-1 calls made on demonstrated their interest to move for- cell phones are frequently answered off- ward and have been working on the rural Navajo Nation, where the staff do not un- addressing system for quite some time derstand or speak Navajo. The Nation does now. In the Northern Navajo Agency, sev- not currently have a uniform rural address- eral chapters are pursuing rural addressing ing system in place to locate 9-1-1 emer- and road naming. Beclabito Chapter, lo- gency calls, which delays emergency re- cated 20 miles west of Shiprock in San Radio Station KTNN broadcasted Navajo sponse. He explained the implementation Juan County, , has been work- Nation E9-1-1 Forum on December 19, of Enhanced 9-1-1, which requires Rural ing closely with the Task Force and the 2008 from 6 to 8 p.m. E9-1-1 Task Force Addressing as a prerequisite, and 9-1-1 Pub- San Juan County Rural Addressing office. Members: Larry Ute Joe from Shiprock lic Education. They have funded and contracted Mr. Taft Agency and Dorothy Denetclaw from Legislative Directive by Government Ser- Blackhorse to compile a road inventory Chinle Agency, Division of Community vices Committee made January 2003 by using Global Positioning System (GPS) Development, Local Governance Support Resolution No. GSCJA-09-03 was ex- equipment to point the center lines. The Center employees participated in this fo- plained in Navajo by Task Force Member, road naming is still being worked out by rum with Radio Station KTNN disc Dorothy Denetclaw. Sammy Boyd ques- the Community Land Use Planning Com- jockey, Sammy Boyd. tioned her on the work of the current Task mittee. In addition, there are other local The team provided an overview of 9-1-1 Force Members, with Ms. Denetclaw re- chapters beginning to take serious interest challenges, which included: 1) the Na- sponding that quarterly meetings are being in establishing rural addressing in their vajo Nation does not have an effective conducted. The NN Telecommunication community. emergency 9-1-1 telephone system, 2) & Utilities department was designated by In the Eastern Agency of the Navajo Na- there is no consistent addressing or guide- the resolution to organize and facilitate the tion, Marge Lantana is the assigned LGSC lines used Navajo Nation-wide, and 3) establishment of rural addressing and en- staff member working on rural addressing the Navajo people need to be informed hanced 9-1-1 on the Navajo Nation with the with chapters. She reported that Chichiltah and aware of changes planned to benefit commitment of resources and support of the Chapter, just outside of Gallup, New Mex- them. Executive Branch Continued on Page 4 ico, is scheduled to Continued on Page 4 V OLUME 3, ISSUE 1 P AGE 3 9-1-1 WalMart Events in Gallup and Farmington 9-1-1 for Kids Logo Contest

On December 15, 2007, E9-1-1 Task hanced 9-1-1 on the Navajo Nation. In The final tabulation for the 9-1-1 for Kids Force members, the San Juan County addition, information was disseminated Logo Contest has been completed. The Rural Addressing Coordinator, volun- on Holiday Fire Prevention Tips and Na- Navajo Nation Enhanced 9-1-1 Task Force vajo Nation Rural Addressing. received 80 entries. Participating schools

In Gallup, Red E. Fox, the Navajo Nation included Nataani Nez Elementary, Shi- 9-1-1 for Kids Mascot, handed out color- prock, NM; Tohatchi Elementary, To- ing pages and pencils. The Navajo Nation hatchi, NM; Breadsprings Day School, Fire & Rescue volunteer personnel had Gallup, NN+M; Tohaali Community their fire prevention trailer on location School, and Shonto Preparatory School, Shonto, AZ. and invited the public to take a tour. They demonstrated fire fighting tactics they use Five task force members were selected to regularly to save property and lives. The narrow the entries to 10 by utilizing the E9-1-1 Task Force members served hot Contest Rules and Guidelines that were cocoa and cookies to the interested public. included in the letters to the schools. teer Fire Fighters from the Navajo Na- In Farmington, the San Juan County Vol- Based on this, 10 entries were selected. tion Fire & Rescue Services and the The entire E9-1-1 Task Force was then unteer Fire personnel had three fire trucks st nd rd San Juan County Fire Department on location. They handed out 9-1-1 Kids requested to vote for 1 , 2 and 3 place braved the chilly 25 degree weather at of their choice. coloring books, crayons and red fireman two Wal-Mart Supercenter locations in hats. The E9-1-1 Task Force members, The WINNERS are as follows:

Gallup and Farmington, New Mexico. along with the San Juan County Rural st They provided information on what the 1 Place-$100 Wal-Mart Gift Card Addressing Coordinator, handed out bro- Mathew Lee Navajo Nation Enhanced 9-1-1 Task chures, newsletters and holiday fire pre- Force was doing to implement en- vention tips.

Navajo Division of Health/Bio-Terrorism Program

Continued from Page 1: terrorism, weap- 6. Determine the powers of legislation ons of mass destruction, pandemic in- and plan of operations during the prioriti- fluenza and other major health incidents zation of delivering existing and/or scarce on the Navajo Reservation by review- public health protection and preventive ing existing Divisional Enabling Legis- resources to vulnerable Navajo popula- 2nd Place-$25 Wal-Mart Gift Card lation and Plan of Operations. tions. Charlize Fernandez 2. Determine whether the Declaration 7. Determine the existing emergency of Emergency Legislation provides for planning effectiveness of all Navajo Na- or not the legal environment for the tion emergency plans. government to suspend existing laws 8. Determine the ways and means to and/or policy and procedures that effect all-hazards, veterinary and live- would otherwise prevent, hinder or de- stock and public health declaration emer- lay the dispatch of necessary resources gency policy and actions to respond to an emergency. Develop the Navajo Nation Pandemic 3. Determine the Navajo Nation gov- Influenza Preparedness and Response Plan (PIP) describing the course of action ernmental organization and its relation rd to cross-jurisdictional agencies in au- and organization of the Navajo Nation to 3 Place-$10 Wal-Mart Gift Card thorizing inter-jurisdictional coordina- prevent, minimize and to reduce the vul- Nehemiah Begay tion in emergency management efforts. nerability of the Navajo Nation Chapters 4. Determine the physical organiza- and all entities to any public health and tional duties of all emergency 1st re- influenza outbreak that cannot be pre- sponders programs (enabling legislation vented; to establish capabilities for pro- and plan of operations) and divisional tecting from the effects of outbreaks; to 1st responder staff (job-descriptions) for respond effectively to the actual occur- effectiveness in coordinating emer- rence of outbreaks; and to provide for gency planning and response. recovery in the aftermath of any natural and bio-terrorist emergency impacting the Determine the risk liability to pa- 5. normal pattern of life within the Navajo tients during emergencies in hospitals Nation. The PIP must minimize fear and Special arrangements are being made to and clinics and during alternative care anxiety in the event of an incident or present the prizes to the winners at their standards. event. schools.

VOLUME 3, ISSUE 1 P AGE 4

NAVAJO NATION TELECOMMUNICATION & LETTER TO THE EDITOR POLICY Upcoming Events UTILITIES (NNTU) P.O. Box 2928 Navajo E9-1-1 Newsletter welcomes letters Window Rock, Arizona 86515 from readers on the Navajo Nation who have ►Local Rural Addressing Phone: 928-871-7742/7749 used 9-1-1 for help. Tell us your experience. Orientation at Agencies–March 2008 Fax: 928-871-7741 Letters should be limited to 120 words or less. ►9-1-1 For Kids Logo Contest

E9-1-1 Task Force Letters libelous or slanderous will not be Presentation-March 2008 E9-1-1 Task Force Members accepted. Letters must have writer’s true ►Task Force Meeting, Navajo [email protected] name (no fake) with address and telephone Nation Museum April 1-2, 2008 www.e911.navajo.org number in the event we must contact you.

KTNN FORUM ON NAVAJO NATION E911 Wish You A Merry Christmas and A Continued from Page 2, KTNN Forum...: Directors. Happy New Year” for the public listening Other questions and answers were on pri- The appointed Task Force members were char- to them to end the KTNN Forum at 8:00 mary goals, accomplishments, on-going tered “to plan, secure facilities, equip, staff, p.m. Thank you KTNN for helping Na- tasks, how Rural Addressing works, how train and successfully implement, operate and vajo Nation E9-1-1 Task Force members. community people can help, 9-1-1 steps, maintain a fully integrated Navajo Nation en- what is enhanced 9-1-1, 9-1-1 network hanced 9-1-1 system by the 2nd Quarter 2009.” design, Emergency Communication Center Larry explained that the desired future estab- and 9-1-1 Public Education. What’s next We’re lished by the Task Force is a fully integrated, is to continue increasing awareness, public on the Web enhanced 9-1-1 system established on the Na- education, promote proper 9-1-1 use, com- vajo Nation, technologically advanced Public plete the Service Plan, successfully imple- www. e911.navajo.org Safety Answering Points (PSAP’s), Navajo ment Rural Addressing Navajo Nation- speaking personnel to answer 9-1-1 calls and wide, establish emergency telecommunica- fully integrated Emergency Communications tion infrastructure and develop Joint Power Centers. This will provide opportunities for Agreements with the States and Counties. NAVAJO NATION RURAL increased economic development, implement At 7:30 p.m., a public caller from Mexican ADDRESSING UPDATE new technology, improve employee technical Springs said that he believes this Rural skills level, add employment, increase profes- Continued from Page 2. receive some orienta- Addressing will not go like the Police Sub- sionalism, provide better public safety services, tion and training on what they need to do Station that was to be implemented years identify location and telephone number of call- and how they should begin implementing ago. Ms. Denetclaw responded to think ers, and provide more timely responses to rural addressing in their community. In positive, that this is for the public safety of emergencies. addition, Ms. Lantana is working with all Navajo people, many people are work- chapters to appoint representatives to Disc jockey, Sammy Boyd questioned who is ing on it and it will be accomplished. serve on the Local Rural Addressing paying for the 9-1-1 services? What are we Prior E911 Coordinator, Valcita Thompson Committee (LRAC). Thus far, she has doing about it? And, what is the 9-1-1 Plan- called to commend the work of the Task received appointments for seven (7) mem- ning Committee? Larry explained that each Force Members. She thanked Ms. Thomp- bers. person who has a telephone pays for these ser- son for services she rendered to 9-1-1, re- vices on a monthly basis that the collected sponded that the PSAP is being worked on In the Chinle Agency, Dorothy Denetclaw money is retained at the state-level. Public and that we are working with a consultant is the LGSC representative working with Safety Service Plan is being finalized and near- to successfully roll-out the 9-1-1 Public the community chapters to help them be- ing completion by the Task Force Committee. Education, rural addressing, and enhanced gin working on rural addressing. All The 9-1-1 Planning Committee consists of Di- 9-1-1. Another call questioned how Rural chapters have identified their LRAC vision Directors and Council Delegates respon- Addressing would be done? Larry re- members. In the past several months, she sible for approving the Navajo Nation En- sponded to this question that the Rural has conducted training and orientation hanced 9-1-1 Service Plan. Addressing project is initially being imple- sessions with local chapter officials and

Mr. Boyd questioned, why are we doing 9-1-1? mented as a pilot project in the Tohajiilee staff on the basics of rural addressing and Chapter with help from Bernalillo County. road naming. Who benefits? He requested background and perspectives of Navajo Nation E911. Larry This project will continue and roll-out into In the Western and Fort Defiance Agen- provided the response that we are doing this to New Mexico Chapters and then to cies, they have not reported any chapter and Arizona. improve emergency response time, to save identifying their LRAC members or be- lives and property and establish a centralized Ending the KTNN Forum, Larry and Ms. ginning work on the addressing system. system for emergency telephone calls. Every- Denetclaw addressed the need for a Local The Task Force members have gained a one benefits. Ms. Denetclaw responded to the Rural Addressing Committee member to great deal of understanding and made background, providing the perspective that the represent each chapter. The Local Rural progress planning what is ahead. How- 110 chapters have approved the resolution to Addressing Committee members will need ever, there is a great deal more work that support rural addressing and enhanced 9-1-1, to attend an orientation and training ses- lies ahead as orientation and training ap- and that we have the sion to understand what is required to es- pointed LRAC members will be con- support and approval. The Navajo Nation tablish continuity and consistency to the ducted to prepare them for the implemen- needs to complete rural addressing before hav- rural addressing process as it is rolled out tation phase of rural addressing in their ing a fully enhanced 9-1-1 system. Navajo Nation-wide. They sang “We community.