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Red River Parish Communications District Receives CEDAP Grant for ArcGIS Mapping Package

On March 27, 2007, the Red River Parish Communications District received notification from the Department of Homeland Security’s Office (DHS) stating approval for the 2006 Commercial Equipment Direct Assistance Program (CEDAP). The grant will provide the Communications District with the software needed to develop and maintain a modern Geographic Information System (GIS) for Red River Parish. This system will be a viable component of the future Enhanced 911 Center, and it will provide emergency responders with the technology to improve response time across the parish. Geographic information system (GIS) software provides the tools for law enforcement, fire, and emergency management officials to capture, convert, edit, update, and manage data; perform spatial analyses; and create high-quality map products.

The grant application was submitted by E9-1-1 Project Coordinator Daniel Simpson in September of 2006. CEDAP provides emergency response agencies with the equipment and technology they need to fulfill their homeland security mission. It is an important component of a larger, coordinated effort to strengthen our Nation’s overall preparedness baseline. CEDAP’s primary focus is to enhance regional response capabilities, mutual aid, and interoperable communications in jurisdictions ineligible to receive assistance under the DHS Urban Areas Security Initiative (UASI). This grant will prove to be beneficial for all citizens of Red River Parish.

E9-1-1 Administrator Scotty Warren has been working on the initial mapping stages of the E9-1-1 Project. The first stage is to ensure all roads throughout the parish are properly labeled and positioned in the correct location on the base maps. The District received a new Trimble GeoXT GPS device which will be used to obtain the specific coordinates for each structure within the parish. Administrator Warren plans to begin the process of reassigning addresses within the next three to four weeks. The Communications District, in coordination with the United States Postal Service and BellSouth, is in the process of establishing a detailed policy which will outline the procedure of assigning new E9-1-1 addresses. Once the policy is formally established and adopted by the Communications District, it will be released to the public.

It is important for citizens to understand the Communications District must adhere to specific guidelines when assigning addresses and road names. Full cooperation from everyone is needed in order to produce an effective E9-1-1 system for the parish. The District welcomes all questions and will try to address any concerns as best as possible. You may contact Administrator Scotty Warren via email at redriverparish911@yahoo.com or calling the E9-1-1 Office @ (318) 932-4447. Again, the Communications District greatly appreciates the continued support from the citizens of Red River Parish.

Red River Parish E9-1-1 Office

Located in the Red River Parish Detective's Office off of Highway 480 near the Natchitoches Parish Line (near Lock & Dam #4)

Red River Parish Communications District
PO Box 407
Coushatta, LA 71019

(318) 932-4447
redriverparish911@yahoo.com

The Communications District has made several purchases within the last few weeks in order to begin the initial steps towards implementing
E9-1-1 in Red River Parish. The District purchased a Trimble GPS device along with a Dell Laptop to be used for Re-Mapping and Addressing the entire parish.

	Precinct	    Location		YES	%	  NO	%	Total Votes

	ABSENTEE			172	90.05%	  19	9.95%	191
	01 01	Union Hall		163	90.56%	  17	9.44%	180
	01 02	Hickory Grove		94	92.16%	  8	7.84%	102
	02 01	Martin Village Hall		139	92.67%	  11	7.33%	150
	02 03	Martin Village Hall		171	95.53%	  8	4.47%	179
	03 01	Hall Summit Town Hall	121	90.30%	  13	9.70%	134
	03 02	Womack			130	85.53%	  22	14.47%	152
	03 03	Hall Summit Town Hall	58	95.08%	  3	4.92%	61
	04 01	Westdale		61	73.49%	  22	26.51%	83
	04 02 	Crossroads		79	92.94%	  6	7.06%	85
	04 03	Red River Estates	89	100.00%	  0	0.00%	89
	04 05	New Hope - Hanna	16	88.89%	  2	11.11%	18
	05 01	New Hope - Hanna	49	84.48%	  9	15.52%	58
	05 02	Central Fire Station	146	94.81%	  8	5.19%	154
	06 01	Springville		167	89.78%	  19	10.22%	186
	06 02	Hwy 71 South		145	94.16%	  9	5.84%	154
	07 01	Fairgrounds		74	96.10%	  3	3.90%	77
	07 02	Edgefield		79	96.34%	  3	3.66%	82
	07 03	Fairgrounds		150	96.77%	  5	3.23%	155

As of Thursday September 14, 2006, the Red River Parish Communications District is now an official part of Red River Parish. The Police Jury unanimously approved Ordinance 05-2006 which formally established the Red River Parish Communications District. The Police Jury also appointed seven commissioners which include:

Lem Jones, Chairman
Buddy Fowler, Vice Chairman
Cindy Coffey, Secretary/Treasurer
Johnny Ray Norman

Scotty Warren

The Communications District held its first meeting on Friday September 15, 2006, at McLemore Hall in Coushatta. At this meeting, the commissioners passed a resolution which will place the emergency telephone surcharge proposition on the November 7, 2006, ballot. This is a huge step towards the implementation of Enhanced 9-1-1 in Red River Parish. Plans are also underway to hold several informative meetings throughout the parish. If you wish to help with this project or would like more information, please email us at redriverparish911@yahoo.com .

    Red River Parish is currently the ONLY parish in Louisiana lacking an Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) system. E9-1-1 is an emergency telephone system which automatically connects 9-1-1 callers to a designated answering point while providing all of the caller’s information (phone number, physical address, location on a digital map, and the emergency agencies which serve the caller). This E9-1-1 system will help to reduce response time and save lives in Red River Parish.
    Red River Parish currently has a “Basic 9-1-1” system. When a caller dials 9-1-1 they are simply connected to the Sheriff’s Office and no caller information (address or phone number) is received with the call. This causes serious problems and can delay emergency response by 5-10-15 or even 20 minutes. A photo of our current “Basic 9-1-1” system is located at the bottom of this flyer. This system is VERY outdated and inefficient in getting emergency aid to people in need of help.
    E9-1-1 is funded by a telephone surcharge, grants, and donations. The citizens of Red River Parish will have the opportunity to vote for a monthly surcharge placed on their telephone bill. This charge will not exceed $0.63 (residential), $1.65 (business), or $0.85 (wireless) per month.
    Community support is a vital factor in the success of this project. All citizens need to realize the importance of E9-1-1 and know it will benefit every individual and agency within the parish. This E9-1-1 project is not about saving or generating money for the parish; it is about saving the lives and property of Red River Parish!

Þ The ONLY charge for E9-1-1 is the monthly surcharge of $0.63 per residential landline and $1.65 per business line along with a surcharge of $0.85 per wireless (cell) line. Total cost per year = $7.56 (residential) $19.80 (business) $10.20 (wireless)

Þ Tensas, East Carroll, & Cameron parishes all have SMALLER populations than Red River, but they ALL have E9-1-1.

Þ Once established, the District will have an estimated monthly income of $5,600 with the estimated monthly expenses of $5,400

Estimated Population—9,464
¨ Estimated # of Households—4,100
¨ Estimated Parish Roads—250 miles
¨ Estimated Other Roads—350 miles
¨ Estimated Residential Phone lines—3,300
¨ Estimated Business Phone lines—800
¨ Estimated Wireless (cell) lines—2,750