Government Technology
Emergency Management: news and solutions about emergency planning, response and disaster recovery

Federal Legislation Would Require E-911 for IP Voice Systems

my GT

Print
Comment

Oct 9, 2007, By Wayne Hanson

Found in: Regionalization / Consolidation

IP telephony, which -- as David Pogue pointed out in part 2 of his keynote presentation at GTC West -- allows the user to take one telephone number to any location in the world, would now be required to be "located" for the purpose of emergency calls. The ''911 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007'' (H.R. 3403), would "Promote and enhance public safety by facilitating the rapid deployment of IP-enabled 911 and E-911 services, encouraging the nation's transition to a national IP-enabled emergency network and improve 911 and E-911 access to those with disabilities."


"It shall be the duty of every IP-enabled voice service provider engaged in interstate communication," says the bill, "to provide 911 service and E-911 service to its subscribers in accordance with the regulations of Federal Communications Commission ... as such orders may be modified by the Commission from time to time."

The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association announced their support of the bill, and NENA President Jason Barbour said, "Our nation's 9-1-1 system is a vital public safety and homeland security asset. Every day 9-1-1 callers seek critical emergency assistance and are the eyes and ears helping others during emergencies in local communities and assisting with our nation's homeland security. Modern communication capabilities offer an opportunity to improve the system as we know it, but they also offer challenges. The 9-1-1 community must embrace and react to change quickly, to better serve the American public, industry and the mobile consumer in all emergencies. We need help from Congress to do so."

NENA and APCO, said APCO in a release, support the goals of the 9-1-1 Modernization and Public Safety Act of 2007 because it:

  • Strengthens the Federal Communication Commission's (FCC) Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) E9-1-1 Order by codifying the obligation of all Internet Protocol (IP)-enabled voice service providers to provide E9-1-1 in accordance with FCC regulations.
  • Provides needed tools to assist in the completion of E9-1-1 deployment for VoIP service in all parts of the United States.
  • Addresses the issue of next generation (NG) 9-1-1 service.

"Each of these items will assist with current VoIP E9-1-1 implementation," said Barbour, "and support the migration from today's 9-1-1 system to a modern IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 system to enable the public to access 9-1-1 from "anywhere, anytime and from any device."

If You Liked This Article, You May Also Like...

Related Products and Services

Latest News in Regionalization / Consolidation


Latest Government Technology News


Industry Solutions for Government

Read real world deployments of technology in government from our sponsors.

View All Industry Solutions

Marketplace



This section
brought to you by:


Dispatch Operations and
Interoperability Survey

Geographic terrain, an overloaded infrastructure and outdated technologies put into question a jurisdiction's level of optimal interoperability in an emergency situation. Emergency Management would like to understand the problem as it relates to dispatch centers ability to communicate with first responders effectively. Click Here to take the survey

Dispatch Operations and Interoperability

Case Study - Morris County, New Jersey The Morris County Communications Center upgraded to a new trunked radio system with the benefits of a cellular network, extending coverage beyond county lines


Case Study - Iredell County, North Carolina Spanning over 570 sq miles, it became imperative that the Iredell County Emergency Communications, Operations and Management extend it's communications systems to enhance reliability, security, and coverage.


Case Study - City of Anaheim, California The City of Anaheim saw an opportunity to leverage existing GST and partner with nearby cities to enhance safety operations through data interoperability.


Case Study - Charlottesville, Virginia Fire Department Taking advantage of a range of interoperability solution, the Charlottesville Fire Department has achieved a network that can serve as backup to their existing public safety network.


Optimal Interoperability Until recently it was not possible to cost effectively connect commercial networks to LMR systems. Improvements in communications technology have resulted in greatly enhanced operational capability and have reduced the log-term cost of communications system ownership.


Sprint ERT Go-Kit with GST Optima Rapid, interoperable communications for emergencies, drills and field exercises.


Video


DHS Grant Links

DHS Grants and Assistance Programs Link to overview of available grants administered by The Department of Homeland Security (DHS)


Fact Sheet: Fiscal Year 2008 Preparedness Grants Major changes in funding and focus for 2008 DHS grant programs


Remarks on 2008 Homeland Security Grant Guidance DHS Secretary Michael Chertoff and FEMA Administrator David Paulison


DHS FY 2008 Infrastructure Protection Activities An overview, released May 16, 2008.


2008 Infrastructure Protection Activities Funding Awarded by the DHS


Funding Resources for Your Community's Communications Project


Yes! I would like more information about Sprint's dispatch operations and interoperability solutions.