Congress Endorses "National 9-1-1 Education Month"

The U.S. House of Representatives last night, by a vote of 381-0, passed H. Res. 537 recognizing the importance of 9-1-1 education and directing the Administration to establish a National 9-1-1 Education Month.  The resolution, sponsored by Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and John Shimkus (R-IL) and 56 House co-sponsors, puts Congress behind a national effort by seven national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety.

The seven organizations that have joined together to advance 9-1-1 education are: 

• the E9-1-1 Institute;
• the National Emergency Number Association (NENA);
• 9-1-1 For Kids;
• the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA);
• the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO);
• CTIA - The Wireless Association; and
• COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance.

Each of the groups recently adopted similar resolutions establishing April as National 9-1-1 Education Month.  They are calling upon public safety officials, schools, government officials, and industry leaders to engage in a national effort to educate children, seniors, and the general public about the importance of, and appropriate use of, 9-1-1.   During the month of April, these organizations will conduct special outreach to build on existing state and local 9-1-1 education efforts in an attempt to raise the issue of 9-1-1 education to a national level.  The groups praised the efforts of Representative Eshoo and Representative Shimkus for their consistent bi-partisan leadership in passing the resolution. 

"9-1-1 is a life-saving service that everyone should know how to use, especially children and senior citizens," said Eshoo.  She added:  "I'm very proud to have these dedicated national organizations join with me to expand 9-1-1 education for all Americans." 

"While most people know to call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation," said Shimkus, "not everyone is aware of the limitations of the system given the expanding variety of wireless devices we all use and the variations in service by location.  Ensuring that 9-1-1 callers know when and how to use the 9-1-1 system must be a priority." 

"We can never do enough to educate the public about 9-1-1.  The commitment of this impressive coalition of public safety and industry to dedicate time and effort to advance 9-1-1 education will help save lives and will produce a significant return on whatever effort is made," said Gregory L. Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute.  He said that "in addition to school-based activities, there could be conferences and training events for parents, teachers, care-givers that bring together the public safety community and industry leaders in a common effort." 

"In today's rapidly changing communications landscape, we cannot underestimate the importance of better educating the public and managing public expectations about the ever evolving 9-1-1 system. We are pleased to join all of these groups in support of this important resolution to promote much needed increased 9-1-1 education efforts," said NENA President Jason Barbour, ENP.   

"We are chartered to educate children on how to summon Public Safety services. This month will underscore that need and highlight the activities to accomplish that end.  It will also emphasize the overall effort to educate our