In 1957, frustrated by the lack of a single emergency telephone number, emergency responders came together in hopes of establishing a single emergency number. A little over 10 years later, the first 9-1-1 call was made in Haleyville, Alabama. February 16, 1968, marked a new age in public safety, and saved countless lives. However, it wasn’t until 1999 when the 9-1-1 emergency number was officially signed into law, thanks to the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act.
Congress recently passed two bills that help advance 9-1-1 services nationwide, H.R. 582, the Kari’s Law Act, and S. 96, the Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act. Kari’s Law ensures anyone who dials 9-1-1 would reach emergency personnel even if the phone typically requires that user to dial “9” to get an outside line. Many phones in hotels, offices and even schools don’t reach emergency personnel when a user dials 9-1-1 because the person failed to dial “9” first. The Improving Rural Call Quality and Reliability Act would require the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to set call completion standards to avoid calls in rural areas from being dropped or rerouted incorrectly.
Though more and more people have access to this service, issues still remain. Natural disasters, such as the 2011 Joplin tornado, is a perfect example of this. Recently, FCC Chairman Ajit Pai visited an emergency call center in Joplin and during that visit staff at the call center made clear that communications was the biggest issue following the EF5 tornado. First responders in Joplin, Jasper County and Newton County all use different communication systems, making it nearly impossible to share information and calls during an emergency. One way to solve this is by making sure all three places have the same system, however, due to lack of funding, that has been a challenge.
As we work towards decreasing issues with the current 9-1-1 system, we must also continue to modernize to keep up with the changing forms of communication. Currently, 20 states have adopted what is referred to as the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911). This new system not only makes calls more efficient, it also allows people to send voice messages, photos, videos and text messages to the 9-1-1 system. Individuals can do this from any wired, wireless or Internet Protocol-based device. Though cost is an issue, several pieces of legislation over the years have made it easier for states to adopt NG911 by allowing them to apply for grants that help pay for new systems as well as training.
This is an issue that has been a priority on both sides of the political aisle. Both S. 96 and H.R. 582 were passed with overwhelming bipartisan support. As discussions to improve our 9-1-1 systems continue, I look forward to working with my colleagues to hit these challenges head-on. Lives depend on it.
4 comments:
I'd feel better about this staffer's new release if they had reported that Bungalow Bill was involved in the planning!
Now about the tRUMP maladministration's planned cutbacks to the National Weather Service...
This month, President Trump submitted proposed cuts to the budget.
The National Weather Service could be losing more than 350 employees, a majority of them being forecasters.
“The Trump administration has proposed to effectively eliminate 20 percent of the forecasters or front-line operational employees at the 122 forecast offices around the country,” Hirn said.
...what say you Billy?
Fur or agin?
911 is important. We have to be able to call for help when the next mass murder occurs. The babies at Sandy Hook probably weren't carrying phones to school that day, so it's good that some adult survivors in the school could make the call. Most of the high school kids who were attacked on Valentine's Day no doubt had cell phones. Those who didn't die probably did call 911, unless they used their phones instead to tell their families that they loved them and maybe were going to die. So yes, Billy, 911 is important, but when you have some time, you might think about some ways to keep our children from being slaughtered when they go to school. Also, when time permits, you might give some thought to the fact that we have been and still are being attacked by the Russian government. Those two problems might deserve some of your attention, too.
Remember who you are talking to. Billy Long spent his first year in office trying to make National Auctioneer's Day into a National Holiday.
Why do a lot of schools in the area require the kids keep their cell phones in their lockers and turned off period in an emergency wouldn't it be nice if they had them.
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