FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

9-1-1 ORGANIZATIONS LAUNCH NEXT GENERATION ACCELERATED DEPLOYMENT EFFORT

WASHINGTON (February 23, 2016)—A coalition of 911 public safety and industry leaders, in cooperation with the National 911 Program and the Next Generation 911 Institute, today announced a nationwide effort to accelerate the implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911) services by the end of 2020.

The NG911 NOW Coalition, a group of national thought leaders in the 911 community, have come together in unprecedented fashion to bring significant attention to achieving NG911 nationwide. The Coalition currently is supported by government partners, members of academia, and led by 911 and emergency communications organizations that share a common mission to promote more effective emergency calling and response services including:

  • National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA)
  • Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT)
  • National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

NG911 is a nationwide, standards-based, all-IP emergency communications infrastructure enabling voice and multimedia communications between a 911 caller, the 911 center (known as a “Public Safety Answering Point” or “PSAP”), and on to responders in the field. NG911 will enhance the 911 system to create a faster, more flexible, resilient, and scalable system that allows 911 to keep up with communication technology used by the public. Citizens in need of emergency assistance will be able to transmit photos, videos and other forms of broadband data and applications to 911 professionals, in addition to making a traditional voice call or sending a text message. This could include streaming video from an emergency incident, photos of accident damage or a fleeing suspect, or medical information, all of which will greatly aid 911 professionals in assisting the caller or communicating with field responders and incident commanders. 

Moreover, when a highly reliable, secure, standards-based NG911 system is deployed nationwide, 911 centers will have enhanced tools at their disposal for more effective and efficient response, and increased ability to interoperate with other 911 centers or transfer all functionality in the event of a major disaster.

The NG911 NOW Coalition will be a leading advocate for accelerated deployment of NG911. The Coalition is launching a nationwide campaign to achieve its goal that “by the end of the year 2020, all 911 systems and call centers in all 56 states and territories will have sufficiently funded, standards-based, end-to-end IP-based 911 capabilities, and have retired legacy 911 systems, without any degradation in service.” The mission of the Coalition is to create increased attention to NG911 issues and promote actions that will accelerate implementation of NG911 systems and services throughout the nation. 

The NG911 NOW Coalition will be seeking the assistance of other government and public safety organizations, as well as industry partners as it works to implement an action plan to secure the funding, governance, best practices and policies that will make this vision a reality.

For more information, visit www.NG911NOW.org or email the Coalition at info@NG911NOW.org

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About the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA)

The purpose of the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) is to promote information sharing among states with programs dedicated to implementing 911 emergency telephone systems. NASNA assists states with resolving issues necessary to accomplish statewide implementation and maintenance of their 911 systems, along with helping to identify and recommend minimum standards for 911.

Find out more at www.nasna911.org.
 

About the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT)

The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT or the Industry Council) is the voice of commercial enterprises in the field of critical communications. The Industry Council plays an important role in addressing public policy issues impacting the emergency calling, communications and response system. Industry Council members believe that business leaders’ expertise can assist public policymakers and agency professionals as they address complex choices regarding advanced communications technology alternatives. Through advocacy, research and in coordination with the public sector, the Industry Council plays a vital role in the development and deployment of emergency response technologies.

Find out more at www.theindustrycouncil.org. 
 

About the National Emergency Number Association (NENA)

NENA serves the public safety community as the only professional organization solely focused on 911 policy, technology, operations, and education issues. With more than 10,000 members in 48 chapters across the United States and around the globe, NENA promotes the implementation and awareness of 911 and international three-digit emergency communications systems. NENA works with public policy leaders, emergency services and telecommunications industry partners, like-minded public safety associations, and other stakeholder groups to develop and carry out critical programs and initiatives, to facilitate the creation of an IP-based Next Generation 911 system, and to establish industry leading standards, training, and certifications.

Find out more at www.nena.org.