WASHINGTON-The National Emergency Number Association today unveiled a new program to foster deployment of enhanced 911 by the mobile-phone industry and other high-tech sectors, an initiative that comes as Congress attempts to pass legislation this week that would create a state grant program to aide the rollout of location-based wireless 911 around the country.
“Without greater partnership and collaboration among the many players involved, America’s 911 system may never live up to consumer expectations, and increasing numbers of Americans may be left stranded in their times of need,” said NENA President Bill McMurray. “NENA’s NG E9-1-1 program is an opportunity to embrace change while maintaining the consumer’s expectation of a highly reliable and dependable 911 system. “
NENA said the Next Generation E911 Partner Program is organized into working groups that will set a year-to-year course for work needed in 911 service, design, implementation and policy.
Federal Communications Commission Chairman Michael Powell, whose agency has overseen the rocky implementation of wireless E911, applauded the NENA effort.
“We are in an era of rapid innovation and expanding consumer choices, and our nation’s 9-1-1 system must keep pace with these advances in order to protect the public in times of emergency,” said Powell. “This responsibility must be shared by all involved-landline and wireless telephone companies, Internet-based service providers, public-safety answering points, equipment manufacturers, and local, state and federal agencies.”<
