Appropriations Requests for

• Cosponsoring legislators' names (if applicable):
• Physical address of legislatively directed spending item recipient and the intended location of the project or activity:
  • Address - 241 West South Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49007 • Location – City of Kalamazoo
• The recipient's employer identification number:
  386004627
• Requested amount of the legislatively directed spending item:
  $400,000.00
• What is the purpose and how does the legislatively directed spending item provide a public benefit that is an appropriate use of taxpayer money?
  Request for $400,000 to uplift four Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety service stations (police, fire, and EMS services) with a new station alerting system to improve response times for emergencies within the City of Kalamazoo. The City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety (KDPS) operates under a unified public safety model in which sworn personnel are cross-trained and deployed to serve as police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical responders. As such, the KDPS station alerting system provides a mission-critical communications and safety function by ensuring that time-sensitive information is immediately and reliably delivered to responders, supervisors, and command staff during emergencies and high-risk incidents. Its primary purpose is to reduce response time, improve coordination, and protect both first responders and the public. At a functional level, an alerting system enables rapid notification of on-duty and off-duty personnel regarding active threats, major incidents, medical emergencies, severe weather, facility security issues, or changes in operational posture. Modern systems deliver alerts through multiple, redundant channels, including audible alarms, visual indicators, mobile devices, radios, and digital displays, ensuring that critical information is received even if one communication pathway fails. The alerting system currently utilized by the City of Kalamazoo Department of Public Services is antiquated and rudimentary and does not meet contemporary public safety standards. It lacks redundancy, precision, and the advanced features necessary to support today’s operational demands and responder safety needs. From an operational standpoint, an alerting system supports incident command and continuity of operations. During rapidly evolving situations such as fires, officer-down events, medical emergencies, or large-scale disasters, commanders must be able to disseminate clear, consistent instructions immediately. A modern alerting system ensures that all responding personnel receive the same verified information at the same time, reducing confusion and enabling faster, coordinated deployment of fire, police, and EMS resources. The alerting system serves a critical life-safety and risk-management function. Alerts warn responders of imminent danger, changing threat conditions, or facility security issues, allowing them to take protective action. Delays or ineffective alerts increase the risk of injury or loss of life and expose the City to greater operational and legal risk. Modern systems are designed to remain functional during power outages, network disruptions, or disasters, providing the resilience and redundancy necessary to maintain emergency operations when conventional communications may be compromised. The limitations of the City’s current alerting system are particularly significant given that firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel are housed within the same facility. The existing system does not differentiate between responder types or assignments and instead activates a uniform alert that awakens all personnel regardless of whether they are required to respond. As a result, firefighters, police officers, and EMS personnel may be awakened unnecessarily when only a specific unit or discipline is needed. Over time, this contributes to sleep disruption, fatigue, and reduced alertness during long or overnight shifts, negatively affecting responder health, performance, and decision-making. Contemporary alerting technology incorporates features specifically designed to protect responder health and safety – directly impacting the outcomes of emergency response event. Features include: • Zoned alerting - By ensuring that only the specific units, disciplines, or dormitory areas assigned to a call are notified. By targeting alerts precisely, non-responding personnel can continue to rest undisturbed, significantly reducing cumulative fatigue over a 24-hour shift and improving overall readiness across fire, police, and EMS operations. • Gentle Waking Systems - Cardio-friendly alert tones that gradually ramp in volume help reduce sudden spikes in heart rate and blood pressure associated with abrupt awakenings. Graduated lighting systems begin at low illumination levels and increase gradually, supporting safer transitions from sleep to response and reducing disorientation and cognitive impairment. • Additional features - such as tactile or haptic notifications, including wearable alert devices, provide a calmer and more controlled method of notification compared to sudden, loud alarms. Modern systems may also include pre-announced automated voice messages that clearly communicate incident type and location, allowing responders to begin mental preparation and tactical planning while dressing and mobilizing. Visual displays and smart screens can provide real-time mapping and location data, reducing reliance on radio traffic alone and lowering cognitive load during critical moments. Collectively, these features improve response efficiency, situational awareness, and decision-making while directly supporting responder health and safety. A contemporary alerting system is not a convenience or administrative upgrade. It is essential public safety infrastructure that enables rapid communication, coordinated multi-discipline response, responder health protection, and operational continuity. Modernizing the City of Kalamazoo’s alerting technology will directly enhance the safety and effectiveness of fire, police, and EMS personnel while strengthening the City’s ability to protect lives, property, and public trust.
• Has the legislatively directed spending item previously received or been awarded any of the following types of funding in the past 5 years?
• If so, how?
• Estimated time frame for completion of the legislatively directed spending item project:
  a. The project will begin upon receipt of funding. The project will be completed within one year.
• Has the nonprofit corporation continuously operated in this state for the preceding 36 months?
  No
• Has the nonprofit corporation had a physical office in this state for not less than the preceding 12 consecutive months?
  No
• Does the nonprofit corporation have a board of directors?
  No
• List all of the officers and active members on the board of directors:

Certification By Sponsoring Legislator