HB 361-CPR TRAINING FOR 911 DISPATCHERS  8:06:29 AM CO-CHAIR MUNOZ announced that the first order of business would be HOUSE BILL NO. 361, "An Act requiring 911 dispatchers to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and providing for an effective date." 8:06:47 AM CRYSTAL KOENOMEN, Staff, Representative Anna Fairclough, Alaska State Legislature, speaking on behalf of the sponsor of HB 361, Representative Fairclough, explained that HB 361 would require 911 dispatchers to be trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Existing statute doesn't provide such a requirement. The sponsor believes CPR training of dispatchers would facilitate and provide support to those calling 911. Ultimately, she related, the sponsor believes this requirement may save lives. 8:07:52 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked if HB 361 has a fiscal note. MS. KOENOMEN responded that a fiscal note from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) was received this morning. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked if there are any fiscal notes from the municipalities in the state. He then asked if HB 361 is an unfunded mandate. MS. KOENOMEN answered that no fiscal notes from the municipalities have been received. However, she noted that she has spoken with the municipalities regarding the impact of this legislation on them. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked if HB 361 would be the strong arm of the state requiring that dispatchers have certain qualifications for which the employer has to pay. He further asked how this legislation will impact small communities that may have difficulty finding individuals with this requirement. MS. KOENOMEN related that in talking with various facilities, the dispatchers are already trained in emergency medical dispatch, which includes CPR. Therefore, there would be no extra cost for those who are already trained as emergency medical dispatchers. For those dispatchers who aren't already trained as emergency medical dispatchers, there would be an associated cost. She informed the committee that an online CPR training course costs $20 and group discounts are available. Ms. Koenomen said [the committee] would have to weigh whether a life is worth an extra $20. 8:10:45 AM TAMMY GOGGIA, 911 Dispatch, Kenai Peninsula Borough, began by referring to a letter dated March 8, 2010, from the Kenai Peninsula Borough mayor. She then added that she understands the purpose and intent behind HB 361, but proposed that the execution of a CPR mandate doesn't address the root cause of the problem that exists in Alaska. The problem in Alaska, she opined, is the lack of mandated minimum training standards for public safety dispatchers. She further opined that CPR certification doesn't adequately prepare a public safety dispatcher to give CPR instructions over the phone. Taking a caller through a 911 call and giving CPR instructions requires an approved emergency medical training program and certification program, which is currently in place in the [Kenai] dispatch center. However, she noted that the aforementioned program is not a requirement of the state. The approved emergency medical training program is part of a quality assurance program, which ensures compliance, protocol, and a sponsoring physician. Ms. Goggia related her professional opinion that Alaska should embrace the concept of minimum training standards and certification for public safety dispatchers. The aforementioned would require developing legislative language for minimum training requirements for public safety dispatchers and then using those standards as a measurement of performance. The aforementioned will save lives, she said. 8:12:51 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER expressed interest in obtaining Ms. Goggia's written testimony. MS. GOGGIA agreed to provide her testimony to the committee. 8:13:12 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to the funding that's required for the training that occurs in the Kenai Peninsula Borough. MS. GOGGIA explained that the emergency medical dispatch training funding comes from the 911 surcharge collected. The Kenai Peninsula Borough dispatch center is a multi-disciplined center from which police, fire, and medical services are dispatched. 8:14:34 AM REPRESENTATIVE GARDNER inquired as to the Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs' opinion of HB 361. 8:14:39 AM MICHAEL O'HARE, Deputy Director, Division of Homeland Security/Emergency Management, Department of Military & Veterans' Affairs (DMVA), related DMVA's support for the concept of the legislation, but said much work needs to be done as there are many agencies involved. He assured the committee that the department will continue to work [with the sponsor] in order to have a good piece of legislation. 8:15:20 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON asked if the fiscal note is for 911 dispatchers who work for the state or who have a contract with municipalities. He further asked if the legislation is a mandate to 911 dispatchers who aren't connected with the state system. MS. KOENOMEN related her understanding that the fiscal note impacts the Alaska State Troopers and only those dispatchers within DPS, not those within municipalities. CO-CHAIR HERRON pointed out that some hub communities have contracts with the Alaska State Troopers for [certain hours]. Therefore, he related his assumption that in those cases, the state would be required to pay for those municipal 911 dispatchers. He related his further understanding that there would be no impact to those 911 dispatchers not connected to the statewide system. 8:16:48 AM REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS asked if DMVA views HB 361 as a hardship to any small community. MR. O'HARE related that the effectiveness of 911 dispatchers is highly dependent upon infrastructure. As the committee is aware, smaller communities have minimal infrastructure. However, everyone knows each other in the smaller communities and thus the location of an individual can be determined fairly quick. The concept of the legislation is great, but whether it will cause financial hardship is something that has to be addressed. REPRESENTATIVE HARRIS clarified that he is supportive of HB 361, but expressed the need to be aware of unknown unintended consequences. 8:19:04 AM CO-CHAIR HERRON moved to report HB 361 out of committee with individual recommendations and the accompanying fiscal notes. There being no objection, it was so ordered. 8:19:34 AM The committee took an at-ease from 8:19 a.m. to 8:20 a.m.