Kansas 911 Coordinating Council

About

The Kansas 911 Coordinating Council was created by the Kansas 911 Act (K.S.A 12-5362 et seq) and is tasked with monitoring the delivery of 911 services, developing strategies for future enhancements to the 911 system.

Mission

To serve Kansas PSAPs by implementing a coordinated, sustainable and comprehensive Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) service that responds anytime, anywhere, from any device in order to realize the full potential for 9-1-1 to provide public access to emergency services.

Vision

To enhance public safety in Kansas by providing statewide access to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) services.

(Click to expand.)

Kansas NG911 Acronyms, Abbreviations, Definitions

Public Service Announcements

Organization
of the
911 Council

Kansas 911 Council Contract Staff

Scott Ekberg

NG911 Administrator

Angela Murphy

South NG911 Liaison

Michele Abbott

Communication
& Training

Lori Criqui

North NG911 Liaison

Kansas 911 Council Contract Personnel

Phill Ryan

Implementation Support Specialist

Randall White

Program Manager

Executive Committee

Name
Chief Dick Heitschmidt	Retired Chief of Police, Hutchinson Chairman, Kansas 911 Coordinating Council
Ken Nelson	Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) Manager, Data Access and Support (DASC) Represents GIS Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Ellen Wernicke	Director- Johnson County Emergency Communications Chair, Training Committee
Sherry Massey	GIS Coordinator, Dickinson County
Josh Michaelis	Director- Rice County Emergency Communications Chair, Operations Committee

Kansas 911 Council Members (Voting)

The Council is an elite team of hand-picked volunteers appointed by the governor. Each member is a subject matter expert having special background and experience with each critical element of 911 public safety. Council membership includes 17 voting members and nine non-voting members.

Name	Info	Term	History
Brooks Wederski	Technology Director, City of Colby Represents Government IT	2/13/2020-6/30/2021	Chris Kelly – 2012/2015 Paul Haugan – 2015/2018 Mike Albers – 2016/2018 Mike Albers – 2018/2021 Brooks Wederski – 2020/2021
John Carmichael	Kansas Representative, District 92 Democrat House Minority Leader Appointment	7/1/2019-6/30/2022	Representative John Alcala – 2012/2019
Troy Briggs	Sheriff, Haskell County Represents Kansas Sheriff’s Association	7/1/2020-6/30/2023	Sheriff Denning – 2014/2017 Sheriff Briggs – 2016/2017 Sheriff Briggs – 2017/2020 Sheriff Briggs – 2020/2023
Becky Snook	Director, Mitchell County Kansas Represents Kansas Chapter of APCO	7/1/2021-6/30/2024	Pat Collins – 2012/2015 Kathy Kuenstler – 2014/2015 Kathy Kuenstler – 2015/2018 Kathy Kuenstler – 2018/2019 2019 Legislation – change from PSAP of any size to Representing KS Chapter of APCO Kathy Kuenstler – 2019/2021 Becky Snook – 2021/2024
Marci Francisco	Kansas Senator, District 2 Democrat		Senator Francisco – 2012/Current
Dick Heitschmidt	Retired Chief of Police, Hutchinson Chairman, Kansas 911 Coordinating Council	Chairman of the Board- Non-Voting
Kyle Hoffman	Kansas Representative, District 116 Republican	2012- Current	Representative Kyle Hoffman – 2012/Current
Jacqueline Brown	IT, Riley County Police Department Represents Government IT	7/1/2020-6/30/2023	Richard Voigt – 2012/2014 Mike Leiker – 2013/2014 Mike Leiker – 2014/2017 Mike Leiker – 2017/2020 Jac Brown – 2020/2023
Vacant	Vacant Represents EMS	7/1/2021-6/30/2024	Bob Boaldin – 2012/2015 Kerry McCue – 2015/2015 Kerry McCue – 2015/2018 Kerry McCue – 2018/2021 Nick Robbins – 2020/2021 Nick Robbins – 2021/2024
Scott Hillbrink	Assistant Fire Chief, City of Colby Represents Fire Chief Association	7/30/2021-6/30/2023	Chief Napolitano – 2012/2016 Chief McLemore – 2015/2016 Chief McLemore – 2016/2019 Chief McLemore – 2019/2021 Assistant Chief Hillbrink – 2021/2023
Josh Michaelis	Director, Rice County Emergency Communications Represents PSAP<75,000	7/1/2020-6/30/2023	Jimmy Reed – 2012/2014 Jimmy Reed – 2014/2017 Josh Michaelis – 2014/2017 Josh Michaelis – 2017/2020 Josh Michaelis – 2020/2023
Robert Cooper	Executive Director, Kansas Commissions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Represents Kansas Commissions for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing	7/1/2021-6/30/2022	Jessica Rosenthal – 2012/2016 Robert Cooper – 2014/2016 Robert Cooper – 2016/2019 Robert Cooper – 2019/2022
Jonathan York	Kansas Department of Emergency Management Branch Director Represents Adjutant General’s Office	7/1/2020-6/30/2023	Jessica Frye – 2012/2014 Col. Chris Stratman – 2013/2014 Col. Chris Stratman – 2014/2017 Col. Chris Stratman – 2017-2020 Jonathan York – 2018/2020 Jonathan York – 2020/2023
Ellen Wernicke	Director, Johnson County Emergency Management & Communications Represents PSAP>75,000	7/1/2020-6/20/2023	Walt Way – 2012/2014 Walt Way – 2014/2017 Ellen Wernicke – 2015/2017 Ellen Wernicke – 2017/2020 Ellen Wernicke – 2020/2023
Sherry Massey	GIS Coordinator, Dickinson County Represents PSAP<75,000	7/1/2021-6/30/2024	Michele Abbott – 2012/2015 Michele Abbott – 2015/2018 Sherry Massey – 2017/2018 Sherry Massey – 2018/2021 Sherry Massey – 2021/2024
Melanie Bergers	Director, Shawnee County Sheriff’s Office Represents PSAP>75,000	7/1/2019-6/30/2022	Kim Pennington – 2012/2016 Lance Royer – 2015/2016 Lance Royer – 2016/2019 Melanie Bergers – 2017/2019 Melanie Bergers – 2019/2022
Rick Billinger	Kansas Senator, Republican	2017-Current	Senator Pat Apple – 2012/2014 Vacant 2014/2-2017
Jerry Harrison	Represents Kansas Police Officer’s Association	7/1/2019-6/30/2022	Chief Gary Smith – 2012/2016 Chief Dick Heitschmidt – 2014/2016 Chief Dick Heitschmidt – 2016/2019 Chief Jerry Harrison – 2019/2022

Kansas 911 Council Members (Non-Voting)

Name (Title)	Info	Term	History
Jerry Daniels	County Commissioner, Allen County Represents Kansas Association of Counties Appointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017 and 7/1/2021	6/30/2020 – 7/1/2023	Rob Roberts – 2012/2014 Robert Boyd – 2014/2017 Jerry Daniels – 2017/2017 Jerry Daniels – 2017/2020 Jerry Daniels – 2020/2023
Vacant	Title Represents League of Kansas Municipalities Appointed to three-year term	In process	Kim Winn – 2012/2014 Harry Smith – 2014/2017 David Cowen – 2015/2017 David Cowen – 2017/2020 Vacant – 2020/2023
Sara Spinks	Director Represents Kansas Office of Information Technology Services Appointed to three year term	7/1/2019 – 06/30/2022	Jay Coverdale – 2012/2015 Jay Coverdale – 2015/2018 Sara Spinks – 2018/2018 Sara Spinks – 2019/2022
Mark Tucker	Cox Communications Represents VOIP Appointed to three-year term on 8/2018 reappointed 7/1/2021	7/1/2021 – 6/30/2024	Colleen Jennison – 2012/2015 Colleen Jennison – 2015/2018 Larry Dexter – 2016/2018 Mark Tucker – 2018/2021 Mark Tucker – 2021/2024
Michael Ruffin	Local Exchange Carrier Appointed to three-year term on 7/1/2021	7/1/2021 – 6/30/2023	Phill Ryan – 2012/2014 Phill Ryan – 2014/2017 John Fox – 2015/2017 John Fox – 2017/2020 John Fox – 2020/2023 Michael Ruffin – 2021/2023
Michael Daniels	Public Safety Administrative Manager, Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) Appointed to fill George Walker’s term 1/22/2020 to 6/30/2021 and reappointed 7/1/2021	7/1/2021 – 6/30/2024	Keith Faddis – 2012/2015 Keith Faddis – 2015/2018 Adam Geffert – 2016/2018 Bill Walker – 2018/2021 Mike Daniels – 2020/2021 Mike Daniels – 2021/2021
Patrick Fucik	Manager, Wireless 911 Implementation for Sprint Represents Large Wireless Providers Appointed 7/2018 and reappointed 2021	7/1/2021 – 6/30/2023	Rusty Griffin – 2012/2014 Rusty Griffin – 2014/2017 Rusty Griffin – 2017/2020 Patrick Fucik – 2018/2020 Patrick Fucik – 2020/2023
Ken Nelson	Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) Manager, Data Access and Support (DASC) Represents GIS Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017	In process	Ivan Weichert – 2012/2014 Ken Nelson – 2014/2014 Ken Nelson – 2014/2017 Ken Nelson – 2017/2020 Ken Nelson –
Rob McDonald	Represents Rural Independent Phone Companies Appointed 7/2018 and reappointed 2021	7/1/2021 – 6/30/2023	Jimmy Todd – 2012/2015 Jimmy Todd – 2015/2018 Vacant – 2016/2017 Rob McDonald – 2017/2020 Rob McDonald – 2020/2023
Elizabeth Phillips	Represents Non-Traditional PSAPs Assistant Director University of Kansas Public Safety	7/1/2019 – 6/30/2022	Elizabeth Phillips – 2019/2022
Terry Clark	Represents Non-Traditional PSAPs Chief of Police Potawatomi Tribal Police	7/1/2019 – 6/30/2022	Chief Terry Clark – 2019/2022

Kansas 911 Council Committees

Operations Administration Technical GIS

Operations Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Robert Cooper	KS Comm. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Josh Michaelis Operations Chair	Director/Rice County Emergency Communications
Ellen Wernicke	Director/Johnson County ECC
Sherry Massey	Dickinson County Emergency Communications
Melanie Mills-Bergers	Director/Shawnee County Emergency Communications

Training Sub-Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Ellen Wernicke (Chair)	Director/Johnson County ECC
Michele Abbott	Butler County Emergency Communications
Pam Opoka	MARC
Kathy Kuenstler	Director/Garden City Emergency Communications
John Michaelis	Director/Rice County Emergency Communications
Angela Murphy	Director/Allen County Emergency Communications
BJ Tracy	Director/Sumner County
David Cowen	Public Safety Director, City of Independence
Melanie Bergers	Director/Shawnee County Emergency Communications
Becky Snook	Director/Mitchell County Emergency Communications
Nick Robbins	Director/Franklin County Emergency Communications
Jerry Harrison	Chief of Police/Independence, Kansas

Text-To-911 Sub-Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Melanie Mills-Bergers (Chair)	Shawnee County Emergency Communications
Josh Michaelis	Rice County Emergency Communications
Robert Cooper	KS Comm. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Nikki Thomas	MARC
Jody Mader	Butler County Emergency Communications
Roxanne Van Gundy	Lyon County Emergency Communications

Public Safety Dispatch Center Inclusion Workgroup (PSDC)

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Michele Abbott	Butler County Emergency Communications
Kathy Kuenstler	Director, Garden City Kansas Represents PSAP<75,000 Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Sherry Massey	GIS Coordinator, Dickinson County

Administration Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Jerry Daniels	County Commissioner, Allen County Represents Kansas Association of Counties Appointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Troy Briggs	Sheriff Represents Kansas Sheriff’s Association Appointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Vacant	Vacant Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Dick Heitschmidt	Retired Chief of Police, Hutchinson Chairman, Kansas 911 Coordinating Council
Kyle Hoffman	Kansas Representative, District 116 Republican
Robert McLemore	Fire Chief, City of Colby
Mark Tucker	Cox Communications Represents VOIT Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017

Technical Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Hassan Al-Rubaie	MARC
Ken Nelson	KGS/DASC
Phill Ryan	911 Council

Security Sub-Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Dustin Alexander	AT&T
Jared Meier	Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Brent Trease	AT&T
Nathan Johnson	Sedgwick County
Mike Albers	City of Colby
Michael Leiker	Ellis County
Mike Pollock	Nex-Tech
Jeff Maxon	State of Kansas
Tracer Giess	Tracer Giess
John Fox	AT&T
Phill Ryan	911 Council
Joe Currier	Sedgwick County
Patrick Robinson	AT&T
Terry McLarty	AT&T
Lesa Thye	AT&T
Billy Blankenship	AT&T

GIS Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Ken Nelson (Chair)	KGS/DASC
Sherry Massey (Co-Chair)	Dickinson County, KS
Eileen Battles	DASC
Eamonn Coveney	City of Hays/Ellis County
Kyle Gonterwitz	KDOT
Saralyn Hayes	MARC
Jack Joseph	Sedgwick County
Sheri Taylor	Riley County, KS
Mike D’Attilio	KS Adjutant General’s Office/Division of Emergency Management

SIF Working Group

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Ken Nelson (Chair)	KGS/DASC
Sherry Massey (Co-Chair)	Dickinson County, KS
Eileen Battles	DASC
Scott Ekberg	911 Council
Lori Alexander	911 Council

Operations Administration Technical GIS

Operations Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Robert Cooper	KS Comm. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Kathy Kuenstler	Director/Garden City Emergency Communications
Josh Michaelis Operations Chair	Director/Rice County Emergency Communications
David Cowan	City of Independence
Ellen Wernicke	Director/Johnson County ECC
Sherry Massey	Dickinson County Emergency Communications
Melanie Mills-Bergers	Director/Shawnee County Emergency Communications

Training Sub-Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Ellen Wernicke (Chair)	Director/Johnson County ECC
Pam Opoka	MARC
John Michaelis	Director/Rice County Emergency Communications
BJ Tracy	Director/Sumner County
Melanie Bergers	Director/Shawnee County Emergency Communications
Becky Snook	Director/Mitchell County Emergency Communications
Jerry Harrison	Chief of Police/Independence, Kansas

Text-To-911 Sub-Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Melanie Mills-Bergers (Chair)	Shawnee County Emergency Communications
Josh Michaelis	Rice County Emergency Communications
Robert Cooper	KS Comm. For the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Nikki Thomas	MARC
Jody Mader	Butler County Emergency Communications
Roxanne Van Gundy	Lyon County Emergency Communications

Public Safety Dispatch Center Inclusion Workgroup (PSDC)

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Sherry Massey	GIS Coordinator, Dickinson County

Administration Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Jerry Daniels	County Commissioner, Allen County Represents Kansas Association of Counties Appointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Troy Briggs	Sheriff Represents Kansas Sheriff’s Association Appointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Vacant	Vacant Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017
Dick Heitschmidt	Retired Chief of Police, Hutchinson Chairman, Kansas 911 Coordinating Council
Kyle Hoffman	Kansas Representative, District 116 Republican
Robert McLemore	Fire Chief, City of Colby
Mark Tucker	Cox Communications Represents VOIT Reappointed to three-year term on 7/5/2017

Technical Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Hassan Al-Rubaie	MARC
Michael Leiker Chair	Director of IT Ellis County
Ken Nelson	KGS/DASC
John Fox	AT&T
Michael Albers	City of Colby
Phill Ryan	911 Council

Security Sub-Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Dustin Alexander	AT&T
Jared Meier	Kansas Bureau of Investigation
Brent Trease	AT&T
Nathan Johnson	Sedgwick County
Mike Albers	City of Colby
Michael Leiker	Ellis County
Mike Pollock	Nex-Tech
Jeff Maxon	State of Kansas
Tracer Giess	Tracer Giess
John Fox	AT&T
Phill Ryan	911 Council
Joe Currier	Sedgwick County
Patrick Robinson	AT&T
Terry McLarty	AT&T
Lesa Thye	AT&T
Billy Blankenship	AT&T

GIS Committee

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Ken Nelson (Chair)	KGS/DASC
Sherry Massey (Co-Chair)	Dickinson County, KS
Eileen Battles	DASC
Eamonn Coveney	City of Hays/Ellis County
Kyle Gonterwitz	KDOT
Saralyn Hayes	MARC
Jack Joseph	Sedgwick County
Sheri Taylor	Riley County, KS
Mike D’Attilio	KS Adjutant General’s Office/Division of Emergency Management

SIF Working Group

Name (Title)	Affiliation
Ken Nelson (Chair)	KGS/DASC
Sherry Massey (Co-Chair)	Dickinson County, KS
Eileen Battles	DASC
Scott Ekberg	911 Council
Lori Alexander	911 Council

History

Kansas 911 Act

Charters

Strategic Plan

Kansas NG911 Strategic Plan (2021-2023) (can be found in the Portal)

Adopted Policies of the Council

Adopted Policies of the Council (Summary)

Governance

Project Contracts

Allied Technical Consultants, Inc	Proposal	Contract
GeoComm	Proposal	Contract
GIS Data Resources, Inc.	Proposal	Contract
Kimble Mapping, Inc.	Proposal	Contract
R&S Digital Services, Inc.	Proposal	Contract
Alexander Open Systems (AOS)		Contract

Council Meeting Minutes

2021

Kansas NG911 Council Final Minutes to be posted January 22, 2021
- Kansas NG911 Council Handouts for January 22, 2021
Kansas NG911 Council Final Minutes to be posted April 12, 2021
- Kansas NG911 Council Handouts for April 12, 2021
Kansas NG911 Council Final Minutes to be posted June 11, 2021
- Kansas NG911 Council Handouts for June 11, 2021
Kansas Administrative Regulation Public Hearing July 19, 2021
Kansas NG911 Council Final Minutes to be posted August 27, 2021
- Kansas NG911 Council Handouts for August 27, 2021
Kansas NG911 Council Final Minutes to be posted October 11, 2021
- Kansas NG911 Council Handouts for October 11, 2021
Kansas NG911 Council Final Minutes to be posted December 10, 2021
- Kansas NG911 Council Handouts for December 10, 2021

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting April 6, 2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19

Kansas NG911 Council Draft Meeting Minutes for June 5, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting Handouts for June 5, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Final Meeting Minutes to be posted for August 21, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting Handouts for January 24, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting Financial Handouts for January 24, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Briefing March 30, 3030

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting April 6, 2020 – Cancelled due to COVID-19

Kansas NG911 Council Draft Meeting Minutes for June 5, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting Handouts for June 5, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Final Meeting Minutes to be posted for August 21, 2020

KS NG911 Council Draft Meeting Minutes to be posted for December 13, 2019
KS NG911 Council handouts for December 13, 2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2014

2013

2012

2011

Committee and Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

2020

Check back soon for committee notes for 2020

2019

Security Subcommittee Meeting Minutes 11072018

Kansas 911 Coordinating Council

About

Mission

Vision

Public Service Announcements

Organizationof the911 Council

Kansas 911 Council Contract Staff

Kansas 911 Council Contract Personnel

Executive Committee

Kansas 911 Council Members (Voting)

Kansas 911 Council Members (Non-Voting)

Kansas 911 Council Committees

Operations Committee

Training Sub-Committee

Text-To-911 Sub-Committee

Public Safety Dispatch Center Inclusion Workgroup (PSDC)

Administration Committee

Technical Committee

Security Sub-Committee

GIS Committee

SIF Working Group

Operations Committee

Training Sub-Committee

Text-To-911 Sub-Committee

Public Safety Dispatch Center Inclusion Workgroup (PSDC)

Administration Committee

Technical Committee

Security Sub-Committee

GIS Committee

SIF Working Group

History

History

Kansas 911 Act

Charters

Strategic Plan

Kansas NG911 Strategic Plan (2021-2023) (can be found in the Portal)

Adopted Policies of the Council

Governance

Project Contracts

Council Meeting Minutes

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting Handouts for June 5, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Meeting Handouts for June 5, 2020

Kansas NG911 Council Draft Meeting Minutes to be posted for January 25, 2019

KS NG911 Council Draft Meeting Minutes to be posted for June 7, 2019

KS NG911 Council Draft Meeting Minutes to be posted for December 13, 2019

Organization
of the
911 Council