Alexandria, VA – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted two orders that advance the interests of public safety by modernizing 9-1-1 reliability requirements and strengthening the security of emergency alerting systems. Together, the actions support the reliability of the system that the public uses to reach first responders and the integrity of the alerts that governmental authorities use to reach the public.
The first order strengthens the reliability obligations of entities that provide services critical to both today’s 9-1-1 networks and the NG9-1-1 networks to come. APCO appreciates that the Commission adopted a function-based, technology-neutral definition of “covered 911 service provider” that focuses on the role an entity performs rather than the specific technology it uses. The Commission also accepted APCO’s suggestion to continue holding the primary provider of covered 9-1-1 services responsible for the reliability of those services, even when certain functions are subcontracted.
“APCO is grateful that the FCC was responsive to the needs of the 9-1-1 community as it continues to facilitate the transition to NG9-1-1,” APCO CEO and Executive Director Mel Maier said. “These forward-looking rules should help ensure that 9-1-1 services remain reliable as technology evolves and more functions become available to the public safety telecommunicators who are on the front lines of many emergencies. We also appreciate the Commission’s recognition that interoperability is fundamental and must be built into NG9-1-1 services from the start. We look forward to participating in the next phase of this proceeding, in which specific interoperability obligations will be defined.”
Added Maier, “While FCC efforts continue, the public safety community urges Congress to move forward with federal funding essential for 911 Authorities to fully transition to NG9-1-1 nationwide.”
In a second order, the FCC adopted targeted security obligations that should help protect the Emergency Alerting System (EAS). Alerts delivered through EAS and Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) are a vital source of information to the public during emergencies when time is of the essence. APCO appreciates the Commission’s recognition of the importance of securing these systems from malicious actors.
APCO especially thanks the Commission for recognizing the need to improve geotargeting so that alerts will be seen only by their intended audience. As we told the Commission, alert originators are less likely to use alerting systems when geographic targeting is insufficiently accurate, and mobile phone subscribers may be inclined to opt out of receiving alerts for fear of receiving alerts that are not relevant to them. “We thank the chairman and commissioners, and of course the hard-working FCC staff, for prioritizing these public safety initiatives,” Maier said.
APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide – and the welfare of the general public as a whole – by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.
