INDIANAPOLIS — The NG911 NOW Coalition released a report as an important step in achieving its goal of implementing Next Generation 911 services nationwide by the end of 2020.
THe report, “NG911 Gap Analyses and Recommended Strategies,"identifies the impediments to rapid and ubiquitous NG911 deployment, and recommends potential strategies to removing those impediments.
Leveraging the knowledge and experience of experts from the public safety community and industry, the coalition conducted a comprehensive assessment of those issues that have impeded more timely NG911 deployment, including issues in the areas of governance, funding, technology, operations and education.
Identified issues were prioritized, and specific strategies were recommended for addressing those with the highest priority. Ultimately, these strategies will form the basis of a comprehensive National Action Plan for NG911 Implementation, which is expected in the coming months.
A critical component of the upcoming National Action Plan is a legislative initiative designed to increase national and state-level NG911 leadership and support for accelerated NG911 deployment. This includes a model regulatory framework to facilitate coordination among local 911 authorities, state executive and legislative leadership, and state regulators and the development of a new grant program that would provide additional funding resources for NG911.
NG911 will enhance the 911 system to create a faster, more flexible, resilient and scalable system that allows 911 to keep up with communication technologies used by the public.
“It is vitally important to the safety and security of the nation and its citizens that the nation’s 911 systems keep pace with advancing technology,” Brian Fontes, CEO of the National Emergency Number Association, said. “The ongoing efforts of the coalition to accelerate these services
throughout the nation are an important step forward in achieving that goal.”
“State governments play a vitally important role in facilitating the deployment of NG911. The state governance, regulatory, statutory, funding, technical and operational, and educational aspects of successful deployment must be addressed at the state level,” Evelyn Bailey, NASNA’s executive director, said. “The states that have made the most progress are those that have addressed these matters. The combined efforts of the coalition partners will help the remaining states to step up the pace.”
“Industry and the public sector are united in their efforts to achieve the coalition’s goals,” iCERT Executive Director, George Rice said. “Support of the emergency calling system represents one of our nation’s most successful public-private partnerships, and through this ongoing and robust partnership we will ensure the viability of 911, now and into the future.”
In addition to legislation that addresses critical governance and funding issues, the coalition’s efforts in the coming months will focus on implementing an educational awareness campaign that highlights the many benefits of NG911 and broadening its outreach to policymakers and affected stakeholders.
The coalition invites those interested in accelerating NG911 to join in its efforts.