Thurston 911 Communications (Tcomm911)

The meeting included the election of an Interim Vice-Chair until the March Annual Meeting. Key operational updates included progress on the TCERN contract final months with Motorola, involving site walks and equipment relocation to the new shelter. The subscriber radio programming update is ongoing, with over 2,000 radios scheduled. The TCERN system update was successfully performed by Motorola. The new phone system has been in place for over a month, and CentralSquare is addressing punch list items. Director interviews for the first Telecommunicator academy of 2026 were conducted, and a new scheduling software is being selected. A new fence installation along Pacific Avenue was also noted. New business involved the adoption of the 2026-2030 Strategic Plan and the outline of the process for the Executive Director's performance review.

The meeting included the approval of the agenda and the minutes from the previous joint board meeting. Key discussions in the Executive Director's report centered on the TCERN project energization and site walk scheduling, the progress of subscriber radio reprogramming with a new tracking dashboard, the system upgrade for the TCERN Core Project from the 2020 to the 2024 version, and the successful cut-over of the new phone system. Staffing updates noted that the final academy class of 2025 graduates soon, with the next academy commencing in February 2026. New Business involved an executive session regarding labor negotiations. The Board subsequently approved and ratified the 2026-2029 IAFF Local 468 and the 2026-2028 WSCCCE 618C Collective Bargaining Agreements. Additionally, several policies (101, 215, 303, 313, 315, 322, and 329) related to Administrative, Financial, and Human Resources were updated and adopted via Resolution 2025-07. Resolution 2025-08 authorized the execution of an amendment to the Communications Site Agreement with Weyerhaeuser for the Bald Hills Radio Site, including a twenty-five-year extension and provisions for a new utility line.

The meeting included financial reports, an executive director's report, and old and new business. The executive director's report covered the TCERN project, subscriber programming updates, and a phone system replacement. The board adopted the 2026 budget and discussed Motorola Change Order #10, which extends the contract to March 31, 2026. The board also addressed 2026 salaries and benefits for non-represented employees, approving a 3.0% general wage increase and a monthly dependent insurance contribution of $1100.

The meeting included discussions on the testing and implementation of the new next-generation Vertex 911 phone system, updates on radio systems including the Motorola contract extension and site work at various locations. There was also a report on the FLAC Subcommittee's review of lift assists and falls, focusing on configuring a system to dispatch appropriate units for patient assistance. New business included planning for the TCERN subscriber reprogramming, Smart911, and volunteers for the 2026 Budget Subcommittee.

The meeting included updates on the Windows 11 upgrade and the upcoming Central Square installation for the new phone system. There were discussions about VHF technology upgrades, non-member agreements, and site work at Fire Station 82. Agencies were encouraged to track spare repair radios and the HIRL drill date was confirmed. The Board reviewed the 2024 year, covering call volume, dispatch statistics, and recruitment. A procedure update for K-9 response notifications was proposed and approved, along with a prioritization plan for communication plans and a decision to revert the BLS unknown injury protocol back to red. The proposed 2025 meeting schedule was confirmed.