City Council recognizes Hurricane Harvey shelter efforts

During the December 13 Council agenda meeting, the Dallas City Council honored and recognized the efforts of City staff and outside agencies that worked together during the Hurricane Harvey shelter operation.

For 37 days following Hurricane Harvey, the City of Dallas became a temporary home for more than 10,000 evacuees. Nearly 4,000 people stayed at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center and other shelters around the City. 113,000 meals were served, more than 30,000 items of clothing were distributed, 5,600 health and medical services were provided and volunteers put in more than 122,000 hours.

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City employees increase efficiency, save City money

Seven City of Dallas employees saved the City time and taxpayer money while adding to their professional toolkits.  The Lean Six Sigma “Green Belt” trainees presented projects designed to save money and work out inefficiencies to Executive Staff.

Collectively, their individual projects lead to $342,762 in savings for the City while improving the tracking of 311 service requests, and raising awareness about the Office of Environmental Quality.

Coached by Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belts Brandon P. Johnson and Joseph Kunnath, the employees received their official green belt certifications after their individual presentations. The City’s newly certified Green Belts are listed below:

• Amanda Webster, Dallas Water Utilities
• Vinoo Kuruvilla, Communication and Information Services
• Alana Jackson, Communications and Information Services
• Lisa Fullerton, Office of Environmental Quality
• Sheila Gray, 311
• Joseph Fielding, Dallas Water Utilities
• Tamara Royal, Equipment and Building Services

Lean Six Sigma is a problem solving and process improvement strategy that combines two powerful methodologies that focus on reducing waste and variation.

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Forbes – The Cities Where A Paycheck Stretches The Furthest 2017 -DFW #10

We often conflate high salaries with prosperity, but that can be deceptive. Someone who lives in New York or San Francisco might make more money than a counterpart in the same profession in Houston or Dallas-Fort Worth, but when the cost of living is factored in, their Southern colleagues may actually come out ahead.
www.forbes.com/sites/joelkotkin/2017/12/07/the-cities-where-a-paycheck-stretches-the-furthest-2017/#1e3ece553673

The post Forbes – The Cities Where A Paycheck Stretches The Furthest 2017 -DFW #10 appeared first on Dallas Regional Chamber.

source https://www.dallaschamber.org/blog/forbes-the-cities-where-a-paycheck-stretches-the-furthest-2017-dfw-10/

Statement regarding second security incident at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

Today, around 2:58 p.m., the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center received another bomb threat. The Dallas Police Department is on scene and investigating. The building has been evacuated out of precaution. Dallas officers are currently securing the building. More information will be released as it becomes available.

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Statement regarding security incident at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center

Just after 4 p.m., the Dallas Police Department dispatch received a call about a bomb threat at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Out of an abundance of caution, security officers evacuated the building, and police and fire personnel are responding.

Updates will follow.

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/statement-regarding-security-incident-kay-bailey-hutchison-convention-center

Dallas Fire-Rescue earns top Insurance Service Organization rating

Dallas Fire-Rescue joins an elite group of municipalities by receiving a Class 1 Insurance Service Organization (ISO) rating. This is the first Class 1 ISO rating in the department’s history.

The ISO rating system is based on the department’s efficiency in receiving and processing emergency calls, training, equipment and accessibility to a permanent city-wide water supply.

“This is a major accomplishment for the City of Dallas and reflects well on Dallas Fire-Rescue,” said Dallas Fire-Rescue Chief David Coatney. “It took a collaborative effort between Dallas Fire-Rescue Emergency Response and Communications, and the Water Utilities Department which are all critical components of the evaluation.”

In 1999, the department received a Class 2 ISO rating. Since the previous rating, three new stations were built resulting in an increase in the number of emergency personnel and equipment available in the City. In addition, there was an increase in the number of fire hydrants in the City which played a role in the improved rating.

The new ISO rating reflects a reduction in fire severity, loss and has the potential to reduce property insurance.

“I commend Dallas Fire-Rescue for always looking for ways to work more efficiently and effectively. This rating proves their commitment to providing excellent service to the citizens of Dallas,” said City Manager T.C. Broadnax.

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source http://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-fire-rescue-earns-top-insurance-service-organization-rating

Community Courts celebrates success stories

On March 29, 2017, Thomas Moore pled into the South Dallas Drug Court and began residing at Souls Harbor. He started treatment at Turtle Creek Recovery Center for a drug addiction. Mr. Moore has stayed focused on his outpatient sessions, community service hours and goal of remaining sober. He is now giving back to the same community that led him to the Community Courts in the first place.

Mr. Moore is an example of how the City of Dallas Community Courts can not only use the legal system for justice purposes, but also to provide a man with purpose, dignity and to able to use his story as a testimony to others. Upon his graduation from the drug courts he will be a frequent visitor to those that follow to remind that the journey may be tough, but with the assistance of the courts and self-confidence the finish line is much closer.

Ella Francis is one of the original Community Court defendants – she received a citation from the Dallas Police Department for drug paraphernalia. A crack cocaine user for 19 years, her journey with the Courts started 11 years ago, where she completed rehabilitation and her community service hours.

Ms. Francis struggled with sobriety, but believes the courts and the resources the courts connected her with is why she is now 11 years sober, with stable housing and is self-sufficient.

Watch Ms. Francis and Mr. Moore address the City Council on their successes:

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