In reality I didn't find anything that he was presenting incorrectly. Too many independent 911 centers; no standardization for technology within even a state; inability to properly locate/GPS callers; underfunded and understaffed 911 centers; and then there are legislators taking dedicated revenues from 911 taxes and using the funds for other general fund purposes.
Nothing funny about all of this — but John Oliver did a good job of pointing out the issues for what is supposed to be a life-saving system that people depend on every day and that they think is capable of doing things like "texting for help" when the reality is that these features are, for the most part, years in the future — if ever for some jurisdictions.
Earlier this year before our state's legislative session, I called attention to the issue of taking 911 funds for other purposes, by writing an op-ed for The Seattle Times newspaper, see Don’t rob funding for ‘next generation’ 911 system.
