Broward’s E911 system needs a new director
Recently, there has been spotlight on the county’s process to replace the directors for the Fort Lauder dale-Hollywood International Airport and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Visitors and Convention Bureau, neither of whom have yet retired.
These functions require specialized expertise commensurate with the scope of operations here in Broward County and benefit froma smooth succession ofmanagement. In stark contrast, there has been deafening silence regarding the replacement of the director managing the regional E911 system, including the complex infrastructure of radio towers, information management and field interoperability.
On Nov. 5, the county’s director of the Office of Regional Communications and Technology resigned abruptly. Approaching three months later, not only has the director not been replaced, there have been no efforts by the county administration to find and select a permanent director.
What’s the hold up? The county administrator has publicly explained the selection process to replace the empty position will not begin until the consultant hired to evaluate the E911 system issues a report. The consultant has told numerous groups, consistent with their contract, that theirwork is a six-month process divided into two phases; the first phase focuses on data collection and data analysis.
If we wait until a consultant issues a report to even begin the search and selection process for the E911 director, after receiving applications, debating the selection and then allowing the necessary time for whoever is selected to unwind fromtheir existing job, Broward County could go a full year without a director.
The Broward League of Cities, aswell as the police chiefs and fire chiefs associations, have called upon the Board of County Commissioners or the Charter Review Commission to initiate discussions regarding the creation of an Office of the Director of Public Safety Communications thatwould be independent of the county administration’s office. The decision to delay replacing the E911 director proves yet again what somany have been saying— wemust change the management of the E911 system and it begins with taking that responsibility away fromthe county administration.