Fauquier County VA
Sheriff’s Office News Release
Sheriff Jeremy A. Falls
April 25,2022
Fauquier County, VA– Sheriff’s Office Recognizes National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week
The second week of April was National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), an occasion when we celebrated our nation’s I00,000 public safety telecommunicators and honored them for the lifesaving work they perform every day. Our 9-1-1 public safety telecommunicators, who are unsung heroes, not only protect, but also play a critical role in emergency response, protecting the public, as well as police, fire and emergency medical officials.
In fact, on January 14, 2022 the quick actions of our public safety telecommunicators (PST) resulted in the apprehension of bank robbers at a local bank. A hold-up alarm was received from the bank, which was immediately followed by a 9-1-1 call from the bank. One PST hastily obtained critical information from the bank teller, while another worked with a tracking device company to link the two incidents together.
The PSTs worked together to obtain critical data and dispatch the Warrenton Police Department and the Fauquier Sheriffs Office to the area. They relayed information from the tracking device, gave lookouts to surrounding jurisdictions and updated the public through social media. Despite the fact that there was no vehicle description, but because of coordinated efforts, law enforcement was able to stop a vehicle, make arrests and recover the stolen money without incident. These 9-1-1 professionals deserve to be recognized for their exceptional work and we must ensure they have the support they need, including the most up-to-date communications technology.
Our 9-1-1 system is the most vital of critical infrastructure. yet many of these systems are operating with technology that is more than 50•years-old. Individuals can send photos to each other and video chat, but during emergencies, these capabilities cannot be used to communicate with many 9-1-1 centers.
Download the News Release to read more.
Oakland County Michigan Sheriff’s Office News Release
Sheriff Michael J. Bouchard
April 15, 2022
Oakland County, MI– Sheriff Bouchard Calls on Congress to Fund Next Generation 9-1-1
As tomorrow marks the end of the 41st annual National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week in which we recognize the dedicated men and women working in communication centers across the nation, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard is calling on Congress to fund Next Generation 9-1-1.
Next Generation 9-1-1 will enable 9-1-1 centers to receive a variety of multimedia and other data from 9-1-1 callers and seamlessly disseminate this information with other 9-1-1 centers and first responders in the field in real time. This advanced technology will make emergency responses faster and more efficient, vastly improve the safety of citizens and first responders, and furthermore, allow public safety professionals to meet the needs and expectations of the American people in the ever-changing world of 21st century policing.
“Our 9-1-1 system is the most critical of critical infrastructure, yet these systems are operating with technology that is over 50 years old,” Bouchard said. “Individuals can send photos to each other and video chat, but during emergencies these capabilities can’t be utilized to communicate with 9-1-1 centers. It is imperative that Congress step up and take the initiative to appropriate the funds necessary to update these systems across the nation. It will save lives.”
Download the News Release for more information.
Story County Iowa Sheriff’s Office News Release
Sheriff Paul H. Fitzgerald
April 12, 2022
This week is National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week (NPSTW), an occasion to honor and celebrate the lifesaving work of our nation’s 100,000 public safety telecommunicators. These professionals protect and save lives every day and have a critical role in emergency response, protecting the public as well as police, fire, and emergency medical officials. In fact, our telecommunicators are regularly involved with CPR instructions over the phone and I have personally awarded a stork pin commendation within the last year to one of our telecommunicators who successfully assisted with the delivery of a baby over the phone. 9-1-1 professionals deserve to be recognized for their lifesaving work, and we should ensure they have the support they need, including the most up-to-date communications technology.
Our 9-1-1 system is the most critical of critical infrastructure, yet these systems are operating with technology that is over 50 years old. Individuals can send photos to each other and video chat, but during emergencies these capabilities can’t be used to communicate with 9-1-1.
Next Generation 9-1-1 will enable 9-1-1 centers to receive a variety of multimedia and other data from 9-1-1 callers and seamlessly share this information with other 9-1-1 centers and first responders in the field. This technology will make emergency responses faster and more efficient, first responders and communities safer, and allow public safety professionals to meet the needs and expectations of the American people in the 21st Century. True NG9-1-1 capabilities will allow my telecommunicators to lower dispatch/response times, increase officer and responder safety, and more quickly and accurately assist with medical advice and instruction during emergencies.
Download the News Release for more information.
Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition Applauds FCC Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s Call for Funding Next Generation 9-1-1
February 24, 2022
Washington, D.C.– On Tuesday, FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel called on Congress to fund Next Generation 9-1-1 via spectrum auction revenues when it reauthorizes the FCC’s auction authority by September 30th of this year. In the Chairwoman’s words, we should leverage “next generation spectrum for Next Generation 9-1-1.”
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, which is comprised of many of the nation’s leading law enforcement, fire, EMS, and 9-1-1 associations, could not agree more with Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s view that it is time to remake 9-1-1 systems for the digital age. Coalition Leader Captain Mel Maier said “we applaud Chairwoman Rosenworcel’s continued leadership in public safety communications and her support of our coalition’s goal to enact legislation that sufficiently funds Next Generation 9-1-1 in an interoperable, reliable, and secure manner. We will continue our efforts to press Congress to use an appropriate legislative vehicle, including FCC spectrum auction reauthorization as the Chairwoman suggests, to dramatically improve emergency response for the safety of the American public.”
Nationwide Public Safety Associations Meet in Washington D.C. to Advance Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation
February 8, 2022
Washington D.C.– Friday February 4, 2022, representatives from many of the nation’s leading public safety organizations- Major County Sheriffs of America, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs Association, The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National Association of State EMS Officials and the Fraternal Order of Police, met to hear from Administration officials and Members of Congress, and chart a new legislative strategy to accomplish a once in a generation, lifesaving investment into America’s 9-1-1 systems.
The Coalition was addressed by FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel, NTIA Associate Administrator Evelyn Remaley, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Representative Frank Pallone, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, and Representative Robert Latta. We are grateful for their active participation in our in-person event.
Our nation’s 9-1-1 system is in desperate need of investment. Congress has spent tens of billions of dollars to address the “broadband gap” for homes, businesses, schools, and libraries. Yet, without investing in 9-1-1, these new broadband capabilities available to the public will mean little during an emergency. Modernizing 9-1-1 and delivering lifesaving broadband technology for emergencies must become a national priority.
The nation’s leading fire/rescue, emergency medical, law enforcement, and public safety communications associations – composing the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition- have recommitted to advancing this priority, and we urge Congress and the White House to deliver for the American people in 2022.
“The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition has brought together a dynamic group of organizations who represent first responders across the country in order to improve 9-1-1 communications for our communities as well as the men and women who respond to all calls for service,” said Laura Cooper, Executive Director of the Major Cities Chiefs Association. “This Coalition will continue to advocate for appropriate funding as well as push for the Coalition’s First Principles to be implemented into public policy. MCCA looks forward standing alongside our fellow first responder organizations to complete this project which is vital to the future of emergency communications.”
“I am proud of the ongoing efforts of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition in advocating for a once in a generation investment to modernize our nation’s aging 9-1-1 infrastructure. It is imperative that Congress immediately works together to pass this legislation. Timely lifesaving response for all Americans is on the line. It is urgent to upgrade our most critical infrastructure. Without it, we will be unnecessarily jeopardizing the safety of the public and our first responders.” Said Sheriff Mike Bouchard, MCSA VP of Government Affairs
“The IACP strongly supports the important community building work of this Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, and we call on all Congress to support the public safety use of broadband technologies and the work of this public safety coalition,” said IACP President Dwight Henninger.
“9-1-1 professionals should have the best tools available to perform their lifesaving work. We are pleased to collaborate with our partner public safety associations to pursue legislation that will provide the technology and training to achieve Next Generation 9-1-1. This will benefit APCO’s members, their public safety partners, and the public at large,” said APCO Executive Director and CEO Derek K. Poarch.
“It is time to upgrade the United States’ 9-1-1 infrastructure from rotary phone to smart phone technology. A nationwide deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 will provide such an upgrade. Each day this legislation goes unchanged is a day lives are unnecessarily lost due to the shortcomings of our 9-1-1 system. I urge Congress to pass Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation without delay,” said Chief Kenneth Stuebing, President and Board Chair of the International Association of Fire Chiefs.
“Next Generation 9-1-1 provides a great number of capabilities to the public in their time of need. It is important that Congress, especially the Senate, take action this year to pass legislation to deploy NG 9-1-1 technology nationwide,” said Fire Chief Don Lombardi, President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association.
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition is united and will continue our work with Members of Congress to ensure delivery of a historic investment in critical public safety infrastructure that will improve emergency responses and outcomes.
Letter to Senator Chuck Schumer, Senator Mitch McConnell, Representative Nancy Pelosi, and Representative Kevin McCarthy
November 19, 2021
Dear Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Speaker Pelosi, and Leader McCarthy:
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition represents the leadership of America’s major fire service, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and public safety communications associations. We formed this coalition to advocate for a once-in-a-generation investment to modernize our nation’s aging 9-1-1 infrastructure to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1).
While the version of the Build Back Better Act that passed the House of Representatives today includes helpful language regarding NG9-1-1, the funding level is woefully inadequate to achieve meaningful nationwide implementation. Congress has otherwise provided significant broadband funding for nearly everything but emergency communications – the most critical of critical infrastructure. This will only widen the gap between the technology that is available to the public at their homes, businesses, schools, and libraries, and today’s antiquated 9-1-1 system.
The Coalition’s funding request has bipartisan support. The amount needed – $15 billion – is based on the results of a federal study required by Congress and to meet the growing cybersecurity threats facing public safety agencies. Further, this funding would go directly to state and local public safety agencies, foster innovation and competition, and accomplish several key public safety objectives including interoperability and cybersecurity.
Absent adequate federal funding, public safety agencies will be left with overly costly, incomplete, and non-interoperable solutions vulnerable to cyber-attacks. This is an unacceptable outcome that will jeopardize the safety of the public and homeland security and result in have and have-not communities particularly in rural and economically disadvantaged areas. This resulting inequity will also hinder other noble efforts that Congress has funded to close the digital divide because it will leave these communities without the ability to leverage new broadband capabilities when their lives are at stake and they need to summon emergency response.
We appreciate the efforts of Chairman Frank Pallone and the House Energy and Commerce Committee to include NG9-1-1 in the House bill. They recognize that our aging 9-1-1 infrastructure is overdue for a fundamental upgrade to 21st Century technology. The House-passed language would set us on a path to a more secure, resilient, interoperable, and reliable way of receiving, processing, and responding to requests for emergency assistance. It would also create a public safety advisory board to ensure the federal grant program prioritizes first responder and community needs beyond any other considerations.
But the funding level included in the House-passed bill impedes a nationwide approach and we are gravely concerned that the promise of the legislative language will go unfulfilled. We remain deeply appreciative of those who have worked with us thus far and look to your leadership to achieve adequate funding for this most important public safety service.
We urge Congress to provide full funding of $15 billion to ensure all Americans benefit from an overdue upgrade to our most critical infrastructure.
Sincerely,
Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – International (APCO)
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC)
Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA)
Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA)
Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO)
National Sheriffs’ Association
Leading Public Safety Associations Thank Senators Amy Klobuchar and Catherine Cortez Masto for Introducing Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation
September 16, 2021
Washington, D.C.- The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition thanks Senators Amy Klobuchar and Catherine Cortez Masto for introducing legislation on September 15 that would create a $10 billion federal grant program to upgrade our Nation’s 911 Centers. The bill is identical to legislation approved on the same day by the House Energy and Commerce Committee to be included as part of the Build Back Better Act. An investment of federal resources in this critical public safety infrastructure will help ensure communities across our country can upgrade to secure, resilient, interoperable and reliable systems to receive and respond to requests for emergency assistance.
Coalition Leader Captain Mel Maier said “I am deeply appreciative for the leadership of Senator Amy Klobuchar and her unending efforts to improve 9-1-1 technologies. Today, I am thankful and encouraged to see Senator Klobuchar and Senator Cortez Masto introduce the Senate companion to the Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation included in the Build Back Better Act. With this introduction, the United States Congress has recognized the vital role of the Federal Government in supporting state and local first responders and public safety communication officials and brings us closer to delivering a historic investment in critical public safety infrastructure that will improve emergency responses and outcomes.”
“The Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA) thanks Sen. Klobuchar and Sen. Cortez Masto for introducing this vital piece of legislation,” noted Executive Director Laura Cooper. “The resources in this bill will help communities across the country upgrade their current 9-1-1 systems to next generation systems. This nationwide NG 9-1-1 upgrade will further enhance effective public safety communications that are essential to the safety and security of first responders and the public we serve. As a leader of the NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, Sen. Klobuchar has been instrumental in this space for many years, and the MCCA looks forward to continuing to collaborate with the Senator and her staff to advance this critical piece of legislation.”
Derek Poarch, Executive Director and CEO, Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials – International (APCO) said “Senator Klobuchar has been a stalwart advocate for 9-1-1, including in her longstanding role as Co-Chair of the NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus. We appreciate the Senator’s continued leadership by introducing an NG9-1-1 funding bill, along with Senator Cortez Masto, as a companion to the House legislation. Having Senator Klobuchar by our side will be key to securing the funding needed to achieve NG9-1-1 across the country in an interoperable and secure manner.”
Chief Kenneth Stuebing, President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association of Fire Chiefs said “I thank Senators Klobuchar and Cortez Masto for introducing this important Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG 9-1-1) legislation. The funding in this legislation will facilitate a much-needed nationwide upgrade of 9-1-1 infrastructure to NG 9-1-1. NG 9-1-1 will allow the public to send information including text, video, and location information when calling 9-1-1. This will give members of the fire and emergency medical services a much clearer picture of what they are responding to before they arrive on scene, substantially reducing response time and improving response efficiency.”
“I thank Senator Klobuchar for introducing this important Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation. NG 9-1-1 will allow the public to send information including text, video, and location information when calling 9-1-1. This information will help fire and EMS departments provide better service to their communities,” said Chief Don Lombardi, President of the Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association and Fire Chief of the West Metro Fire Rescue Department.
Nation’s Leading Public Safety Associations Applaud Inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 Legislation in House Budget Reconciliation Package
September 14, 2021
Washington, D.C. – Last night, the House Energy and Commerce Committee approved inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation in its Budget Reconciliation package. The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition thanks Chairman Frank Pallone, Communications and Technology Subcommittee Chairman Mike Doyle, and Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Anna Eshoo for championing this once-in-a-generation investment in critical public safety infrastructure. The Coalition is also grateful to the many members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee who have expressed support for this needed upgrade of 9-1-1 services throughout the country.
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition consists of the leadership of the following major law enforcement, fire/rescue, emergency medical service, and public safety communications associations: Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – International, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Major City Cities Chiefs Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National Association of State EMS Officials, National Sheriffs Association. The Coalition is solely motivated by what is needed by public safety professionals as they carry out their missions to save and protect the public every day.
The risks confronting our communities are more complicated and dependent upon essential communications than ever before. Next Generation 9-1-1 technology will lead to faster and improved emergency response, make first responders and communities safer, and allow public safety professionals to meet the needs and expectations of the American people in the 21st Century. We now urge the Senate to fully fund this critical infrastructure. In this regard, the Coalition will continue its efforts to work with Senate offices to ensure that state and local public safety agencies receive the resources they need to fully upgrade their 9-1-1 systems in an interoperable, innovative, and secure manner.
Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition Launches Major Grassroots Campaign
March 18, 2021
On the heels of the introduction of important legislation to fund the modernization of the nation’s 9-1-1 systems to Next Generation 9-1-1, the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition announces the launch of a wide-ranging grassroots campaign to educate policymakers and build additional support.
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition consists of national public safety associations representing law enforcement, fire, EMS, and 9-1-1 professionals who know best what is needed to modernize 9-1-1 and improve emergency response. The coalition’s website at http://www.ng-911coalition.org contains detailed information including facts and myths about NG9-1-1 legislation.
The Coalition helped develop and fully supports the Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation that was included in the LIFT America Act with the leadership of Representatives Frank Pallone and Anna Eshoo. The Coalition’s approach is to secure the best outcome for public safety professionals and the communities they serve as they carry out their life-saving missions. Accordingly, the Coalition believes that this legislation is deserving of widespread bipartisan support throughout Congress.
Unfortunately, some parties that disagree with the Coalition’s public safety-oriented principles are spreading misinformation about the legislation. Contrary to those opposed to the Coalition’s public safety focused approach, the NG9-1-1 legislation the Coalition supports will:
- Not only build upon current investments but rescue public safety agencies from being left with overly costly, substandard, incomplete, and non-interoperable solutions. This includes ensuring that existing deployments can become interoperable with new implementations.
- Ensure that technology standards prevalent in the consumer marketplace, and which have led to enormous innovation, interoperability, and economies of scale, are employed for NG9-1-1.
- Ensure that other standards that vendors desire to use have the approval of a well-recognized standards development accreditation body. This is important for avoiding the use of one-off “standards” that result in proprietary and non-interoperable solutions.
- Adhere to the cybersecurity protections for 9-1-1 recommended by an esteemed federal advisory committee. This consists of an efficient, distributed network of cybersecurity centers at state or regional levels serving multiple 9-1-1 centers.
- Create a well-rounded, balanced, and efficient advisory board composed of a cross-section of public safety professionals to provide initial and ongoing expertise to the federal agency responsible for administering the grant program.
- Not only preserve state and local control of NG9-1-1 operations but ensure that diverse local public safety input is fully accounted for in all NG9-1-1 plans and grant applications.
The Coalition is solely motivated by what is needed by public safety professionals as they carry out their missions to save and protect the public every day. The Coalition appreciates the federal commitment to fund the transition to NG9-1-1 and respects the need to ensure that federal funds are expended in the most efficient and cost-effective manner. Our grassroots effort will serve to express our support for the NG9-1-1 legislation, educate and, when necessary, dispel any misconceptions.
Nationwide Public Safety Associations Hail Introduction of Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2021 as Part of the LIFT America Act
March 11, 2021
Washington, D.C.—The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition applauds the introduction of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2021 as part of the LIFT America Act. The inclusion of Next Generation 9-1-1 in the legislation signals that Congress recognizes the critical importance of upgrading our nation’s outdated, underfunded and technologically inadequate 911 infrastructure.
This legislation would authorize significant Federal resources to ensure that all communities in the United States, be they rural, urban or tribal, will have a secure, resilient, interoperable, and reliable way of receiving, processing, and responding to requests for emergency assistance.
The Major County Sheriffs of America, Major Cities Chiefs Association, National Sheriffs’ Association, International Association of Chiefs of Police, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association, National Association of State EMS Officials and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials – International all strongly support this 9-1-1 legislation.
We thank House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Frank Pallone and Congressional Next Gen 9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Anna Eshoo for their tireless efforts to help build the capacity of our nation’s first responders to serve and protect all communities across America.
Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition Urges Congress to Pass Legislation to Upgrade America’s 9-1-1 Infrastructure
August 25, 2020
A new coalition representing diverse public safety stakeholders and 9-1-1 professionals is urging Congress to pass legislation that enables a nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1.
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, comprised of stakeholders from every discipline within the public safety community including the fire service, emergency medical service, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 professionals, is committed to advancing legislation that enables a nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1. The Coalition has united behind legislative principles that will address the needs and concerns of public safety.
Next Generation 9-1-1 will enable first responders and 9-1-1 professionals to utilize voice, text, data, and video to better respond to calls for emergency assistance in the way the public expects today. Congress should pass legislation that provides the resources needed to help local and state governments upgrade this essential critical infrastructure.
The Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2019, introduced by Representatives Anna Eshoo and John Shimkus in the House, and by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Catherine Cortez Masto in the Senate, is a foundation upon which the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition seeks to
build.
To ensure successful implementation of a much-needed nationwide upgrade, the Coalition is calling for the following principles to be incorporated as part of NG9-1-1 legislation:
- NG9-1-1 should be technologically and competitively neutral, and use commonly accepted standards that do not lead to proprietary solutions that hamper interoperability, make mutual aid between agencies less effective, limit choices, or increase costs.
- Development of program requirements, grant guidance, application criteria, and rules regarding NG9-1-1 grants should be guided by an advisory board of public safety practitioners and 9-1-1 professionals.
- Sufficient funding in the amount of $15 billion to ensure NG9-1-1 is deployed throughout the country in an effective, innovative, and secure manner and to enable NG9-1-1 implementation training nationwide.
- The process for allocating funds to localities should be efficient, federal overhead costs should be minimized, and grant conditions should not be onerous or extraneous and should be targeted to achieve important objectives including interoperability and sustainability.
- Cybersecurity of NG9-1-1 systems should be a primary consideration.
- Incentives for increased efficiency of NG9-1-1 functions, including through shared technology and regional collaboration, should be included.
Leaders representing public safety organizations that are part of the coalition provided the following quotes:
Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County (MI), Vice President of Government Affairs, Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA):
“This robust group of organizations which represent all aspects of the public safety community has come to consensus on what our country needs to upgrade, secure, and modernize our outdated and aging 9-1-1 infrastructure. The work done by this coalition will dramatically change and improve the way 9-1-1 operates every time someone calls for help in their time of need. We appreciate the work being done by Congress to ensure this legislation is passed in a thoughtful and timely manner.”
Chief Art Acevedo, Houston Police Department, President, Major Cities Chiefs Association (MCCA):
“Our nation is in critical need of an upgrade to our 9-1-1 infrastructure and as part of the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, the Major Cities Chiefs Association has worked extensively with our public safety colleagues to develop legislative principles that provide the resources needed for a nationwide upgrade. Effective public safety communication is essential to the safety and security of our communities and first responders. Unfortunately, there are insufficient state and local funds to cover the cost of the much-needed upgrade. Through commonly accepted standards, incentives, and an informed approach to grant making, our first responders and 9-1-1 professionals will be better equipped to handle and respond to 21st century demands.”
Chief Richard Carrizzo, President and Chairman of the Board, International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC):
“Next Generation 9-1-1 offers a great opportunity for local fire, EMS and law enforcement to better provide service to their communities. Because of the cost and scale of NG 9-1-1 deployment, we will require federal assistance. These principles provide for the scope required for a nationwide initiative, while ensuring the input of local first responders which are the end users of a NG 9-1-1 system.”
Chief Steven Casstevens, President, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP):
“The IACP joins public safety stakeholders across the country in calling for Congress to pass legislation that would provide the resources needed to upgrade 9-1-1 systems infrastructure, so that police and the rest of the public safety community can better serve the people we were sworn to protect. 9-1-1 systems are critical infrastructure, that desperately need upgrading to enhance interoperability and emergency response assistance.”
Kyle L. Thornton, President, National Association of State EMS Officials (NASEMSO):
“This initiative will build, along with FirstNet, the interoperable framework EMS needs to meet the medical emergency challenges the country faces now and for the foreseeable future.”
Sheriff David Mahoney, Dane County (WI), President, National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA):
“The Nation’s Sheriffs support NG9-1-1 legislation that allows us to save others while providing for a safer environment for First Responders nationwide by modernizing law enforcement communications. The ability to share voice, text, data and video between public safety and dispatch centers regardless of size or location will greatly enhance our ability to respond to events and improve lifesaving services.”
Margie Moulin, President, Association of Public Safety Communications Professionals (APCO):
“9-1-1 professionals across the country would greatly benefit from Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to carry out their life-saving missions. We were pleased to collaborate with our partner public safety associations on legislative language that will best ensure that Next Generation 9-1-1 is implemented in an interoperable, competitive, innovative, and secure manner.”
About the Coalition
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, comprised of stakeholders from every discipline within the public safety community, is committed to advancing legislation to enable a nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1.
Public Safety Next Generation 911 Coalition 