Improving 9-1-1 Services

APCO advocates for regulatory and legislative measures to strengthen 9-1-1 and ensure that emergency communications centers receive the information they need to protect the public.

News Highlights About 9-1-1

FCC Releases Fact Sheet on 9-1-1 Requirements for Multi-Line Telephone Systems 

The FCC has released a fact sheet to raise awareness of the 9-1-1 requirements for multi-line telephone systems (MLTS).

August 7, 2025

APCO Provides Comments to Improve Interoperability and Reliability for NG9-1-1 Systems 

On August 4, 2025, APCO submitted comments in response to the FCC’s Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on improving interoperability and reliability for NG9-1-1 systems.

August 7, 2025

APCO Provides Recommendations to the FCC for Improving 9-1-1 Location Accuracy

On June 6, APCO submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) with recommendations for how the agency can strengthen its wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy rules so that public safety telecommunicators receive the most actionable location information possible. APCO emphasized that “dispatchable location” – meaning the caller’s street address plus their office, apartment or room […]

June 6, 2025

Young Professional Spotlight: Courtney Waldron, City of Lawton, OK

Courtney began her career with the City of Lawton in August 2018 and quickly rose to the rank of Shift Supervisor by March 2022. Her coworkers describe this promotion as a “direct reflection of her staunch loyalty to the dispatch center and her job performance.”

January 25, 2024

Governmental Proceedings

Next Generation 9-1-1
2025
September 17, 2025 APCO Reply Comments: NG9-1-1 Interoperability and Reliability (PS 21-479, 13-75)
August 4, 2025 NG9-1-1 Reliability and Interoperability (PS Docket Nos. 21-479, 13-75)
2024
November 1, 2024 Ex Parte: Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, NG9-1-1 (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114, PS 21-479, PS 18-64)
May 20, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications, NG9-1-1 (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 15-80, 07-114, PS 21-479)
April 19, 2024 Ex Parte: Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 Services (PSHSB) (PS 21-479)
2023
October 31, 2023 Ex Parte: Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 Services (PSHSB) (PS 21-479)
September 22, 2023 Ex Parte: Next Generation 9-1-1, 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Location-Based Routing (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 21-479, 18-64, 07-114)
September 8, 2023 Reply Comments: Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 Services (PS 21-479)
August 9, 2023 Comments: Facilitating Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 Services ( (PS 21-479)
June 1, 2023 Ex Parte: Next Generation 9-1-1 (draft NPRM)  (PS 21-479)
February 16, 2023 Comments: Location-Based Routing for Wireless 9-1-1 Calls (NPRM) (PS 18-64)
2022
July 11, 2022 Comments: Location-Based Routing for Wireless 9-1-1 Calls (PS 18-64)
May 31, 2022 Ex Parte: Location-Based Routing (draft Public Notice) (PS 18-64)
January 19, 2022 Comments: Petition for Rulemaking on Next Generation 9-1-1
2013
January 14, 2013 Reply Comments: Legal and Statutory Framework for NG9-1-1 (10-255, 11-153, 12-333)
2012
December 18, 2012 Comments: Legal and Statutory Framework for NG9-1-1 (10-255, 11-153, 12-333)
November 13, 2012 Legal and Statutory Framework for Next Generation 911 Pursuant to the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 ((12-333))
July 5, 2012 Comments: Multiline Telephone Systems (MLTS) and NG9-1-1 (10-255, 07-114, 05-196, 94-102)
2011
September 19, 2011 Text-to-911 and Other Next Generation 911 Applications ((11-153))
2010
December 20, 2010 Framework for Next Generation 911 ((10-255))
Location Accuracy
2024
November 1, 2024 Ex Parte: Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, NG9-1-1 (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114, PS 21-479, PS 18-64)
May 20, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications, NG9-1-1 (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 15-80, 07-114, PS 21-479)
2023
September 22, 2023 Ex Parte: Next Generation 9-1-1, 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Location-Based Routing (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 21-479, 18-64, 07-114)
2025
June 6, 2025 APCO Comments Wireless E911 Location Accuracy (07-114)
2024
November 1, 2024 Ex Parte: Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, NG9-1-1 (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114, PS 21-479, PS 18-64)
May 20, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications, NG9-1-1 (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 15-80, 07-114, PS 21-479)
January 31, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications (Commissioner Gomez) (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 07-114, 15-80)
2023
September 22, 2023 Ex Parte: Next Generation 9-1-1, 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Location-Based Routing (Chairwoman Rosenworcel) (PS 21-479, 18-64, 07-114)
2021
February 16, 2021 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (2021) (ET 04-35, 18-295; GN 17-183; PS 07-114, 11-60, 13-75, 15-80, 15-91, 15-94; WP 07-100)
January 11, 2021 FCC Denial of APCO's Petition for Reconsideration of July 2020 E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Order ((PS 07-114))
2020
December 30, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Petition for Reconsideration) (PS 07-114, WP 07-100)
November 2, 2020 Public Safety Organizations Joint Response to Petitions for Reconsideration of July 2020 E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Order
September 25, 2020 Petition for Reconsideration of July 2020 E9-1-1 Location Accuracy Order (PS 07-114)
July 16, 2020 FCC Adopts Sixth Report and Order on Z-Axis Metric ((PS 07-114))
July 10, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Starks) (PS 07-114)
July 10, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114)
July 9, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Pai (PS 07-114)
July 9, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order, Carr) (PS 07-114)
July 7, 2020 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Draft Order) (PS 07-114)
March 20, 2020 Reply Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis FNPRM) (PS 07-114)
February 21, 2020 Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis FNPRM) (PS 07-114)
February 7, 2020 Petition for Clarification: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
2019
November 25, 2019 FCC Adopts Fifth Report and Order and Fifth Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Z-Axis Metric ((PS 07-114))
November 19, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
November 12, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis, Rosenworcel) (PS 07-114)
November 12, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis, Starks) (PS 07-114)
November 12, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis, Carr) (PS 07-114)
November 4, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
October 25, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (PS 07-114)
July 26, 2019 Ex Parte: Meetings with the FCC on 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Improving Wireless Network Resiliency and Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band (PS 07-114, 18-261, 17-239, 11-60, ET 18-295, GN 17-183, 11-117)
May 20, 2019 Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
April 22, 2019 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (PS 07-114, 18-261, 17-239, 15-91, 15-94, 11-60, ET 18-295, GN 17-183)
February 25, 2019 Ex Parte: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
2018
December 11, 2018 RAY BAUM'S Act: A Bipartisan Foundation for Bridging the Digital Divide
December 10, 2018 Comments: Implementing Kari's Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM'S Act (PS 18-261, PS 17-239)
October 1, 2018 Comments: Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (Z-Axis) (PS 07-114)
April 4, 2018 Ex Parte: APCO, CTIA & NENA Discuss 911 Apps & Supplemental Data Solutions (RM-11780; PS 07-114)
2016
December 20, 2016 Ex Parte: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy 911 Live Call Data Reports (PS 07-114)
2015
January 29, 2015 FCC Adopts New Rules for Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy ((PS 07-114))
2014
December 15, 2014 Comments: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Roadmap (07-114)
November 18, 2014 Ex Parte: Wireless E911 Location Accuracy (07-114)
November 18, 2014 APCO/NENA/Carriers Roadmap for Improving E9-1-1 Location Accuracy ((PS 07-114))
July 14, 2014 Reply Comments: Wireless Location Accuracy (07-114)
May 12, 2014 Comments: Wireless Location Accuracy (07-114)
January 16, 2014 Locating 9-1-1 Callers in a Wireless World
2013
September 25, 2013 Comments in Advance of the FCC’s Workshop on Wireless E9-1-1 Location Accuracy (07-114)
Reliability
2025
August 4, 2025 NG9-1-1 Reliability and Interoperability (PS Docket Nos. 21-479, 13-75)
January 6, 2025 APCO, NASNA, NENA Joint Ex Parte on 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (PS 15-80, 13-75, ET 04-35)
2024
June 24, 2024 Opposition to ATIS Petition for Clarification and/or Reconsideration: 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (PS 15-80, 21-346, ET 04-34)
May 20, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications, NG9-1-1 (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 15-80, 07-114, PS 21-479)
January 31, 2024 Ex Parte: 6 GHz, Wireless 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Outage Notifications (Commissioner Gomez) (GN 17-183, ET 18-295, 04-35, PS 07-114, 15-80)
2023
June 26, 2023 Opposition to CCA Petition for Reconsideration: 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (PS 15-80, 13-75, ET 04-35)
June 6, 2023 Reply Comments: 9-8-8 Outage Notifications (PS 23-5, 15-80, WC 18-336)
2022
November 10, 2022 Ex Parte: Outage Notifications (Draft Report and Order) (PS 13-75, 15-80, ET 04-35)
October 31, 2022 Comments: Mandatory Disaster Response Initiative (PS 21-346, 15-80, ET 04-35)
April 11, 2022 Comments: Secure Internet Routing (PS 22-90)
2021
December 16, 2021 Comments: Resilient Networks (PS 21-346, 15-80; ET 04-35)
August 30, 2021 Reply Comments: 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (PS 13-75, 15-80, ET 04-35)
July 30, 2021 Comments: 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (NPRM) ((PS 13-75, 15-80, ET 04-35))
April 20, 2021 Ex Parte: 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (Draft NPRM, Simington) (PS 13-75, 15-80, ET 04-35)
April 15, 2021 Ex Parte: 9-1-1 Outage Notifications (Draft NPRM) (PS 13-75, 15-80, ET 04-35)
February 16, 2021 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (2021) (ET 04-35, 18-295; GN 17-183; PS 07-114, 11-60, 13-75, 15-80, 15-91, 15-94; WP 07-100)
February 16, 2021 Comments: National 911 Call Center Contact Database (PS 13-75, 11-60)
2020
February 28, 2020 Letter for the Record: Strengthening Communications Networks to Help Americans in Crisis
2019
July 26, 2019 Ex Parte: Meetings with the FCC on 9-1-1 Location Accuracy, Improving Wireless Network Resiliency and Unlicensed Use of the 6 GHz Band (PS 07-114, 18-261, 17-239, 11-60, ET 18-295, GN 17-183, 11-117)
May 20, 2019 Reply Comments: Improving Resiliency of Wireless Networks (PS 11-60)
April 22, 2019 Ex Parte: Meeting with PSHSB on Open Public Safety Proceedings (PS 07-114, 18-261, 17-239, 15-91, 15-94, 11-60, ET 18-295, GN 17-183)
2018
November 13, 2018 Ex Parte: Part 4 Outage Reporting Requirements (PS 15-80, ET 04-35)
September 7, 2018 Ex Parte: Improving 9-1-1 Reliability (PS 13-75)
July 16, 2018 Comments: Improving 9-1-1 Reliability (PS 13-75)
July 16, 2018 Comments: Improving Resiliency of Wireless Networks (PS 11-60)
January 22, 2018 Comments:Response Efforts Undertaken During the 2017 Hurricane Season (PS 17-344)
2017
April 10, 2017 Ex Parte: Investigation into AT&T Mobility Outages on March 8, and March 11, 2017 (PS 17-68)
2016
September 12, 2016 Reply Comments: Part 4 Outage Reporting Requirements (PS 15-80, ET 04-35, PS 11-82)
May 31, 2016 Comments: Wireless Carriers' Resiliency Proposal (PS 13-239, PS 11-60)
2015
October 9, 2015 Ex Parte: Outage Transparency (PS 13-239, PS 11-60)
July 16, 2015 Comments: Part 4 Outage Reporting Requirements (PS 15-80, ET 04-35)
April 21, 2015 Reply Comments: 911 Governance and Accountability and Improving 911 Reliability (14-93, 13-75)
March 23, 2015 Comments: 911 Governance and Accountability and Improving 911 Reliability (14-193, 13-75)
March 6, 2015 Order Granting an Extension of Time ((PS 15-80 and ET 04-35))
2014
June 5, 2014 Preserving Public Safety and Network Reliability in the IP Transition
January 17, 2014 Comments: Improving Resiliency of Wireless Networks (13-239, 11-60)
2012
September 12, 2012 Resilient Communications: Current Challenges and Future Advancements
August 17, 2012 Comments: 2012 Derecho Storm (11-60)
No Date
Comment and Reply Comment Dates for 911 Governance and Accountability Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ((PS 15-80 and ET 04-35))
Reliability and Continuity of Communications Networks, Including Broadband Technologies ((PS 11-60))
Policy Statement and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking ((PS 15-80 and ET 04-35))
Non-Emergency Calls from Non-Service Initialized Phones
2016
April 15, 2016 Ex Parte: Calls to 9-1-1 from NSI Handsets (PS 08-51)
March 31, 2016 Ex Parte: Calls to 9-1-1 from NSI Handsets (PS 08-51)
January 19, 2016 Ex Parte: Calls to 9-1-1 from NSI Handsets (PS 08-51)
2015
July 6, 2015 Reply Comments: Calls to 9-1-1 from NSI Handsets (08-51)
June 5, 2015 Comments: Calls to 9-1-1 from NSI Handsets (08-51)
2013
May 16, 2013 Comments: Non-Emergency Calls to 9-1-1 from NSI Handsets (08-51)
2008
April 8, 2008 Non-Emergency Calls to 911 from Non-service Initialized Phones ((08-51))