Ohio 9-1-1 System Facing Critical Funding Challenges, Says Report

On Wednesday, May 14th, 9-1-1 officials representing counties throughout Ohio, members of the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (9IA), and Ohio State Reps. Larry Flowers and Steven Driehauswill detail the findings of a national report on the health of 9-1-1, noting a "critical lack of funding" is compromising the safety of Ohioans.

The report, compiled by ColoComm Group, LLC, an independent research group widely recognized by federal and congressional groups as an expert in public safety, concluded a critical lack of funding has resulted in a gap between the types of communications devices people use and those able to fully benefit from access to 9-1-1 services.

In Ohio, funding issues have hindered the state from completing the transition to Phase II wireless -- the ability to automatically pinpoint the location of a wireless 9-1-1 caller -- and is preventing those upgrades needed to support newer communications technologies and more robust life saving applications.

"The health of Ohio's 9-1-1 system is already marginal and without funding experts say it will be terminal," said Flowers, who along with Driehaus, is introducing House Bill 550 to continue funding for wireless 9-1-1. "Currently, if you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, the technology needed to find you may not be in place. If funding is not secured, how many Ohioans are being put at risk?"

The legislation would seek to extend the "Sunset" provision for an additional three years. If House Bill 550 is not passed, Ohio's wireless E9-1-1 funding source will expire on December 31, 2008 -- compromising the safety of Ohioans by making it more difficult for emergency responders to locate them in an emergency. Currently, Ohio is one of the few states in the nation that does not have a permanent funding method to handle the public's wireless calls to 9-1-1.

"If we don't have a steady, dependable funding stream in place for 9-1-1, we certainly can't address today's wireless 9-1-1 challenges, let alone implement a long-term plan to support 9-1-1 for emerging technologies like text messaging," said Bill Hinkle, chairman of Ohio's 9-1-1 Council. "By securing funding now, Ohio has the opportunity to be the bellwether for other states to follow when assessing the health of their 9-1-1 system."