Convenings
During the project’s first phase, Transform911 hosted 3 virtual convenings, the last of which was a hybrid event, with in-person attendees gathering in New Orleans, LA. At the third event on June 29th, we launched our Blueprint for Change. We welcomed members of the public, professionals in emergency response, law enforcement, public health, and academia—as well as elected officials and community leaders—to join us. You may also be interested in reading some of the research supporting the recommendations presented at these convenings in our research report, “Transforming 911: Assessing the Landscape and Identifying New Areas of Action and Inquiry.” Recordings of all convenings are available on the Transform911 YouTube channel.
Upcoming
Watch this space for information about follow-up meetings aimed at putting the Blueprint for Change into practice.
Past Convenings
Transform911 held three virtual convenings – one in September 2021 and one in March 2022, plus a Blueprint Launch in June 2022. Recordings of all sessions from all events held in September, March, and June are available on their respective pages and on our YouTube channel. Overviews of each agenda are below.
Blueprint Launch: June 29, 2022
In the first project phase, public safety professionals—including 911, EMS, fire, and law enforcement—along with community responders, advocates, public health officials, researchers, and other experts developed recommendations to better prioritize public health, community safety, and justice in emergency response. Transform911 unveiled the resulting Blueprint for Change that lists 7 high-level recommendations and associated action steps to transform the nation’s 911 system—from call-taking and dispatch through final call resolution.
Transform911 Blueprint Launch
June 29, 2022, 8am-6pm CT
Agenda
Location: Laurenia
234 Loyola Avenue New Orleans, LA 70112
8:00-9:00 am CT: Breakfast (in-person participants only)
9:00-10:00 am CT: Press conference and briefing
- Dean Katherine Baicker, UChicago Harris School of Public Policy
- Mayor LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans
- Executive Director Tyrell Morris, Orleans Parish Communications District
- Mayor Regina Romero, Tucson
- Police Chief Chad Kasmar, Tucson
- Washington State Representative Tina Orwall
- Portia Reddick White, Vice President of Policy and Legislative Affairs, NAACP
- Budge Currier, Board President, National Association of State 911 Administrators
10-10:05 am CT: Recorded video remarks
- US Senator Amy Klobuchar
10:05-10:10 am CT: Remarks
- Amy Solomon, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Office of Justice Programs
10:10-10:15 am CT: Recorded video remarks
- US Congresswoman Norma Torres
10:15-10:45 am CT: Welcome: Laying the foundation and learning from history
- Dr. S. Rebecca Neusteter, Executive Director, UChicago Health Lab and Principal Investigator, Transform911
- Dr. Tara White, Historian, Black Belt African American Genealogical and Historical Society
10:45-11:45 am CT: Callers’ Bill of Rights
- Madge Haynes, Senior Manager of Engagement and Partnerships, Full Frame Initiative (moderator)
- Richard Ray, FCC Disability Advisory Committee and NENA Accessibility Committee Member
- Moki Macias, Executive Director, Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative
- Sean Goode, Executive Director, Choose 180
- Yana Calou, Director of Advocacy, Trans Lifeline
- Ashley Tjaden, Business Services/Equity and Diversity Coordinator, Bureau of Emergency Communications (9-1-1)
11:45 am-12:15 pm CT: Fireside chat, Pathways and perspectives: What brings us to this work?
- Tanya Tucker, Chief of National Engagement and Partnerships, Full Frame Initiative (moderator)
- Sean Goode, Executive Director, Choose 180
- Chad Kasmar, Police Chief, Tucson
12:15-12:45 pm CT: Lunch/break
- Video virtual tour of 911 center
12:45-1:45 pm CT: Bright spots
- Melissa Reuland, Senior Advisor, Transform911 (moderator)
- Mariela Ruiz-Angel, Director, Albuquerque Community Safety Department
- Moki Macias, Executive Director, Policing Alternatives and Diversion Initiative
- Matthew Perkins, Program Director/Business Development, Local Initiatives Support Corporation
- Jerry Clayton, Sheriff, Washtenaw County
- Mayor Regina Romero, Tucson, and Sarah Launius, Director of Community Safety, Health and Wellness Program, Tucson
1:45-2:45 pm CT: Inviting audience discussion – Connecting 911 and gun violence and exploring community assets
- Facilitated by Dr. LJ Punch, Bullet Related Injury Clinic Director and Trauma Surgeon
2:45-2:50 pm CT: Remarks
- Karhlton Moore, Director, Bureau of Justice Assistance
2:50-3:50 pm CT: 911 Professional workforce
- George Rice, Managing Partner, SkyHawk Global and Transform911 Senior Advisor (moderator)
- Tyrell Morris, Executive Director, Orleans Parish Communication District
- Karima Holmes, Director, District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications
- Lora Ueland, Executive Director Valley Communications Center 911
- Budge Currier, Board President, National Association of State 911 Administrators
3:50-4:50 pm CT: Off the sidelines
- Facilitated by Katya Smyth, CEO and Founder, Full Frame Initiative
4:50-5:00 pm CT: Closing remarks, final thoughts, and building momentum for the movement
5:00-6:00 pm CT: Reception (in-person participants only)
Second Convening: March 2-4, 2022
Transform911’s second virtual convening was designed for workgroup chairs and the public to share and discuss draft recommendations that holistically transform the nation’s emergency response and 911 systems—from call-taking and first response through dispatch and final call resolution.
The draft recommendations presented at this convening were informed by research presented in our research report, “Transforming 911: Assessing the Landscape and Identifying New Areas of Action and Inquiry.”
Over three days, the project’s six workgroups shared draft ideas and solicited input. Final recommendations will provide state, local, and federal policymakers with a roadmap to promote more equitable responses to crises and expand access to comprehensive emergency services.
Eight 911 professionals shared their perspectives during the convening – you can watch their stories with captions in our Practitioner Corner.
Wednesday, March 2: 11:00-1:45 CT
• Alternative First Responders Workgroup
• 911 Professional Career and Supports Workgroup
Thursday, March 3: 11:00-1:45 CT
• 911 Technology and Infrastructure Workgroup
• Emergency Communications Center Operations Workgroup
Friday, March 4: 11:00-1:45 CT
• 911 Governance Workgroup
• 911 Hotline Alternatives Workgroup
Inaugural Convening: September 17, 2021
On September 17, 2021, Transform911 held its inaugural convening. Alongside community members and advocates, the event gathered leaders in public health, government, law enforcement, technology, and emergency response telecommunications to discuss how transforming complex emergency response systems can better support individuals on all sides of a 911 call – while improving public health and community well-being.
Each segment of the convening was recorded and can be found directly below.
- Opening Plenary: Establishing a Vision for Transformation
- Breakout Sessions:
- ECC Operations (formerly Call Handling Operations)
- 911 Governance
- Viable Crisis Hotline Alternatives
- 911 Technology and Infrastructure
- 911 Professional Career and Supports (formerly Professionalization and Supports of Public Safety Telecommunicators)
- Alternative First Responders (formerly Alternatives to Emergency Responders)