Senate approves Haiden Fleming Memorial Act; bill would upgrade state’s 911 services

OKLAHOMA CITY – The full Senate has given approval to a bill that would modernize Oklahoma’s 911 services. House Bill 1590 is named for Haiden Fleming, a 22-year-old Oklahoman who died after suffering a cardiac incident. Sen. Casey Murdock, R-Felt, is the Senate principal author, Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens, R-Tahlequah, is co-author, and Rep. Jim Grego, R-Wilburton, is the House principal author.

“I don’t think many Oklahomans realize that our current 911 system is still using technology from 40 years ago. It’s even more challenging in rural counties that sometimes have to piggyback off one another to answer calls. HB 1590 would enable us to move to Next Generation 911 (NG911), by giving us the ability to create and maintain the infrastructure we need to move analog to digital technology. This will decrease response times, better identify caller locations and better coordinate responses,” Murdock said.

Stephens offered the amendment naming the bill for Haiden, a former student.

“Haiden had just finished having lunch with his family when he suffered a cardiac incident. They lived very close to a county line, which caused some difficulties with 911 and emergency responders who were in different coverage areas,” Stephens said. “His family wanted us to name this bill for Haiden to help draw attention to the need to modernize our 911 system.” 

HB 1590 would adjust the fee for devices capable of calling 911 from 75 cents to $1.25 a month. It would also require mandatory CPR training for 911 telecommunicators in the state to better assist callers until help arrives. The measure now returns to the House for approval of Senate amendments.

"This bill came about after I heard from several of my constituents who called 911 during an emergency only to have to wait while first responders tried to locate them or operators shuffled their calls trying to find the right dispatch service to help,” Grego said. “I'm thankful for the Senate passing this bill. I look forward to getting the final version through the House and signed into law. This will bring a much-needed update to our 911 system so people in our rural communities receive much faster service that could save lives."

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For more information, contact:

Sen. Casey Murdock at 405-521-5626 or Casey.Murdock@oksenate.gov.

Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens at 405-521-5574 or Blake.Stephens@oksenate.gov

Rep. Jim Grego at 405-557-7381 or Jim.Grego@okhouse.gov

CUTLINE:  The family of Haiden Fleming watched from the gallery as the full Senate approved a bill named in his honor aimed at modernizing Oklahoma’s 911 system, then were recognized by Sen. Blake “Cowboy” Stephens.  Haiden was Stephen’s former student.