Today APCO International welcomed the introduction of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Act in the U.S. House of Representatives to advance the nationwide transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1). Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC) and Troy Carter (D-LA) introduced the legislation that would provide critical support to modernize our nation’s public safety communications infrastructure, strengthening the ability of public safety communications agencies to respond effectively in times of crisis.
“Modernizing America’s 9-1-1 systems is both a public safety necessity and a national security imperative,” said Jack Varnado, president of APCO International. “This legislation represents the comprehensive, forward-looking approach needed to ensure that our emergency communications system is secure, interoperable and capable of supporting the lifesaving work 9-1-1 professionals perform every day. APCO thanks Representatives Hudson and Carter for their steadfast leadership on this critical issue.”
Today’s 9-1-1 networks rely on technology dating back to the 1960s and 1970s, lagging far behind the advanced commercial communications capabilities the public uses every day. In addition, outdated 9-1-1 networks are more susceptible to cyberattacks, natural disasters and criminal activity targeting critical infrastructure. As the central point for emergency response nationwide, 9-1-1 must be resilient enough to withstand these threats.
This legislation supports a transition to NG9-1-1 that will allow the public to send text messages, photos, videos and other advanced data directly to 9-1-1 and enable emergency communications centers to share this information with responders in the field. These improvements will enhance situational awareness, support more efficient resource deployment and improve coordination during emergencies.
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.
