SEPTEMBER 2012

After 40 years of service, Larry Gonnello retires

After 40 years of service to the region, Larry Gonnello retired from his position as Operations Division Chief for Kansas City Fire Department Emergency Communications Division in July 2012. Prior to his 37-year commitment to emergency communications with KCFD, Gonnello worked with the Jackson County Rescue Unit, received firefighting training and spent two years serving with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

Gonnello’s commitment to service started as a young man. In middle school local firefighters served as coaches and mentors to Gonnello. Although, Gonnello did not end up working in the field, he served an equally important role in the communications center with the Kansas City Fire Department and immersed himself fully in his job.

 “In whatever work you are doing, you can be a paycheck getter, or you can become involved and be a go-getter” Gonnello said. During the '70s Gonnello wanted to know how he could improve his organization. He volunteered time to build and operate the first two mobile command posts. After the Plaza floods Gonnello and staff at the Kansas City Fire Department recognized a need to have an on-the-scene base for communications and organization during an emergency. This led KCFD to build its first mobile command post. While building the second mobile command post, Gonnello’s boss, Fire Chief Ed Wilson, asked him if he was getting paid for the extra time he was putting in to build the mobile command post. The answer was no, but because the mobile command post had become an important function for the organization his supervisor made what was once a volunteer activity part of Gonnello’s job function.

In addition to thinking strategically about how he could serve the community, Gonnello has been the voice on the line during some massive tragedies in the region. Gonnello took the first phone call for the Hyatt Regency hotel walkway collapse in 1981. This was the deadliest structural collapse in U.S. history, only surpassed by the World Trade Center in 2001. 

“We did as much as we could in the first 45 minutes,” Gonnello said. “It was a situation that truly no one was prepared for.” 

At the time of the collapse the Kansas City Fire Department was right across the street from the Hyatt Regency. Gonnello was certified as a paramedic and at the end of his shift, rushed over to the scene to assist in any way he could. 

Gonnello has been thoughtful and dedicated in his service to the community over the past 40 years, but this public servant also has a fun side. For most of his life he has appeared as Kris Kringle during the holiday season. It all started in 8th grade when the hired Santa couldn’t attend his school. As the oldest and tallest student in the school, Gonnello volunteered to surprise the elementary students and ensure that they had a merry Christmas.  This tradition continued throughout Gonnello’s career and he has been known to show up to the PSAP dressed as Santa Claus. 

Gonnello spent the last 10 years of his career at the Operations Division Chief for KCFD. His commitment to public service is exemplary and his leadership started before he was appointed Operations Division Chief. Although, you won’t hear his voice on the line during an emergency and he won’t be leading emergency communications for KCFD, on December 25 Larry Gonnello might bring a smile to some local residents.   

Featured course: Conflict Resolution in the PSAP

Oct. 2, 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.

This course provides a unique opportunity to learn from a woman who has not only dedicated her life to public safety communications, but also is a leader in the field.

Chris Fischer started her career at Valley Communications Center in Kent, Wash. in 1977. In three short years, she was promoted to deputy director, a position that required her to administer hiring, develop an employee training program and manage overall center operations.

In 1987 Fischer was appointed Director of Valley Communications Center and during her 21-year tenure, she facilitated the growth of the agency to a staff of more than 100 employees, a service area of approximately 275 square miles with a population of approximately 605,000. Today, Valley Communications Center provides service to 25 police and fire departments.

Fischer is also a past president of APCO International. She was appointed by the FCC to
co-chair the Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC) and represents APCO on the Public Safety Spectrum Trust.

Fischer’s exceptional leadership and commitment to the field make her an outstanding example for communications centers looking to improve performance internally. Fischer recognizes that a communications center can become a challenging place. This one-day workshop will provide participants with essential skills to maintain focus and enthusiasm in the communications center. By preparing yourself with necessary skills to overcome obstacles and resolve conflicts, you will enhance your job performance and your organization.

Space is limited. Click here to register

Outstanding Performance Awards call for nominations

The 5th Annual Outstanding Performance Awards (OPA) will be presented on April 12, 2013, during the Telecommunicators Appreciation Celebration.

The OPAs were developed to congratulate and acknowledge the exceptional work that telecommunicators do for first responders and for the public. Review the award criteria and submit a nomination form online or on the public safety intranet.

There are six award categories:

• Outstanding Individual Performance in a Critical Incident
• Outstanding Team Performance in a Critical Incident
• Outstanding Supervisory Performance
• Everyday Hero
• Outstanding Training Performance
• Lifetime Achievement Award

Any telecommunicator can submit a nomination; however, the form must be signed by the head of the nominating agency (e.g. police chief, fire chief, director, etc.).

The deadline to submit a nomination is Monday, Feb. 4, 2013. We are currently accepting nominations and look forward to reading about how you have assisted community members in their time of need.

9-1-1 Hero: Aiden Darneal

Seven-year-old Aiden Darneal of Blue Hills Elementary School and Dispatcher Rhonda Rogers of the Independence Police Department were recognized as 9-1-1 Heroes on Friday, Sept. 21. The ceremony was held at Blue Hills Elementary where Independence Police Chief Tom Dailey presented the awards in recognition of Rogers' and Darneal’s heroism.

On Aug. 2 of this year Darneal was home alone with his grandmother. She had been feeling ill throughout the day and collapsed. He saw that his grandmother was in trouble and dialed 9-1-1. Dispatcher Rogers answered the call from Darneal and connected him with American Medical Response, the area’s ambulance provider. Rogers and the AMR dispatcher, trainee Kyle Hooten under the supervision of Lee Anne Hart, asked questions to gain further details regarding the emergency. Darneal informed the dispatchers that his grandmother was unconscious but she was breathing. Medical assistance was dispatched and police officers were also sent to secure the situation.

The primary purposes of the Kansas City Regional 9-1-1 Hero Award program are to recognize and reward youth who demonstrate knowledge of the proper use of 9-1-1 by performing some heroic action during an emergency, and to promote public education and awareness of 9-1-1.

Fort Leavenworth wins error-report submission contest

Congratulations to the Fort Leavenworth PSAP for coming in first in the regional PSAP error-report submission contest.

MARC Public Safety conducted its annual PSAP error-report submission contest throughout the month of June. In total, 17 PSAPs across the region participated in the contest. All the dispatchers at these PSAPs received donuts during their shifts. A picture of Fort Leavenworth dispatchers is now displayed in the plaque within the 9-1-1 training center. The Fort Leavenworth PSAP has earned the right to keep the traveling trophy for a second year in a row.

“This contest is also an opportunity to help clean up the region’s 9-1-1 database and map data” said Saralyn Hayes, the 9-1-1 manager for MARC Public Safety. “This helps make telecommunicators’ jobs easier, by ensuring correct location information in the database, and could potentially help with response times.”

The regional PSAP error-report submission contest is decided on the highest percentage of valid error reports submitted, based on standard monthly call volume.

9-1-1 Day at the Zoo!

MARC’s Public Safety program and the Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee partnered to facilitate an event promoting public safety and emergency services resources on Saturday, Aug. 11 at the Kansas City Zoo. The event recognized the efforts of regional telecommunicators and their families; furthered educational efforts on the proper use of 9-1-1; provided a forum for families to learn about disaster preparedness; and was an opportunity to donate blood through the American Red Cross.

“Telecommunicators have to work long hours and take calls from citizens in crisis. In addition to their dedication, they help to save lives and stop crimes,” said Public Safety Program Director Keith Faddis. “9-1-1 Day at the Zoo is an opportunity for community members to meet telecommunicators in a less stressful environment, gain an understanding of regional 9-1-1 systems and learn how to best use 9-1-1.”

This was this the first ever 9-1-1 Day at the Zoo. Not only was this a new event but Cell Phone Sally, the regional 9-1-1 mascot, made her public debut teaching children about proper use of 9-1-1.

In addition to learning about 9-1-1, zoo patrons could stop by one of many emergency services booths to learn about disaster preparedness. MEMC’s Prepare Metro KC, KCMO Emergency Management CERT, FEMA, United Way, Medical Reserve Corps, and the American Red Cross had informational tables set up. More than 7,700 individuals came to the zoo while booths were set up providing a great opportunity to educate, inform and honor public safety professionals.

Professional Development Series: Kirkwood City Council Shooting

Thursday, Aug. 23, the Regional Public Safety Communications program at MARC hosted a session detailing the events leading up to the Kirkwood shooting. Dan Rowden, assistant director of the St. Charles County, Mo., Department of Dispatch and Alarm, spoke about the horrific events and played actual dispatch audio to facilitate discussion about the complexities of handling an emotional and dangerous incident.

“Think about the worst thing that could happen while you are on duty,” Rowden said. “That’s what happened at Kirkwood City Hall.”

On Feb. 7, 2008, Charles Thornton, a lifelong resident of Meacham Park, Mo., went on a shooting rampage at Kirkwood City Hall. The shooting, which took place during a public meeting, left six people dead, including the gunman, and two others injured.

During his presentation Rowden also gave statistical evidence of how this type of incident can escalate quickly.

“Once the shooting starts another person is shot on average of every 15 seconds. The average for police response to a call scene is four-to-six minutes.”

Although the incident was gruesome, Rowden’s presentation and the dispatch audio played, provided a unique opportunity for dispatchers to discuss how to best manage a “worst-case-scenario” and support one another when a shooting is inside city hall.  

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Oct. 2: Conflict Resolution in the PSAP

Oct. 4: Telecommunicators Role in Homeland Security

Oct. 23: 9–1–1 Crises Calls

Oct. 26: Refresher TTY

Oct. 30: 9–1–1 Liability

Nov. 1: 9-1-1 Customer Service

Nov. 6: Refresher GeoLynx

Nov. 8: Kansas City Terrorism Early Warning

Nov. 14: Dealing with Death & Trauma for 9-1-1 Professionals

Nov. 15: 9-1-1 Equipment & TTY Training

See a complete list of upcoming
9-1-1 training opportunities and GTI courses included in the 9-1-1 training consortium membership.

Special Events and Trainings

Nov. 29: Professional Development Series: Migrating to NG 9-1-1

Maintenance Services

In nonemergency situations, you may email maintenance requests or questions to 911techs@marc.org.

If your issue requires immediate attention, or if you think it might, please call 816/421-2911 any time day or night.

Remember, it is important to reboot your 9-1-1 workstations at least once each week, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m.–5 p.m., when a MARC communications technician is available should you experience any problems. This will automatically update the GeoLynx map data on your workstation.

PSAP Managers Forum

The PSAP Managers Forum is an excellent resource for managers and supervisors to share and exchange ideas, concerns and suggestions.

Have a story you want to share?

Email Paul Lampe or call 816/701-8366.