APCO Releases Call to Action on VoIP 9-1-1

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today released a Call to Action on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) urging the public safety communications community to file comments with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regarding the importance of requiring enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) services for IP telephony by September 12. Also today, APCO International President-Elect Wanda McCarley testified at a field hearing on 9-1-1 and VoIP held by Sen. Conrad Burns (R - Mont.) and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in Montana.

Recently, some VoIP service providers have expressed their concerns with regulating VoIP and have sought support for their position. APCO International is deeply concerned that without appropriate 9-1-1 rules, the rapid deployment of VoIP service will have a serious, negative impact on the provision of 9-1-1 emergency communications across the nation. In May, the FCC addressed this problem with firm, but fair rules to ensure that VoIP 9-1-1 calls will be delivered to the correct Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) with the location information necessary for rapid emergency responses.

“APCO applauds FCC Chairman Martin and his colleagues for this critical decision,” APCO International President Elect Wanda McCarley said in her testimony. “Absent FCC action, we would still be searching for solutions to protect the safety of the growing number of VoIP subscribers, most of whom choose their telephone service without realizing the potential difficulties of calling 9-1-1 and receiving emergency assistance. Of course, still more needs to be done.”

For more information on the Call to Action, visit http://www.apcointl.org/government/alerts/FCC_Docket_05-196.htm. To view APCO International’s testimony, visit http://www.apcointl.org/documents/montanahearing.pdf.

About APCO International

The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International, Inc. is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO serves the professional needs of its 14,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.