With the passage of Nebraska’s LB 993 in April, Chase County can now begin moving forward with Next Generation 911 (NG911).
    LB 993, approved by Governor Pete Ricketts April 4, pertains to provisions relating to 911 service system planning and funding.
    County Commissioner  Dave Hogsett, Chuck Vette and Don Weiss, Jr. took steps at their June 12 meeting to start the county’s transition from the current statewide Legacy 911 system to a secure Internet Protocol (IP) based system, utilizing high-speed data connectivity (ESInet) capable of receiving information to include voice, text messages, pictures and videos.
    Sheriff Kevin Mueller and Emergency Manager Duane Dreiling were part of a contingent that provided a variety of information to the commissioners at the meeting.
    Deputy Sheriff Mason Holmes told the commissioners it is time to upgrade the current 911 system. The life expectancy of the system is six years. Chase County’s has been in use for 11 years.
    In September, Mueller and Dreiling told the commissioners the county’s aging VIPER phone system and said it will cost more than $300,000 for upgrades.
    At that time, Dreiling and Mueller started making inquiries about working with area counties.

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