According to voluntary reporting by centers to the Federal Communications Commission, a little more than 40% (about 2,583 of the approximately 6,100) of communications centers in the United States were estimated to have implemented some method to receive text-to-911 by July 2020. This is up from 23% in 2018 — double-digit growth in two years. But that means six of every 10 emergency communications centers still were either exploring a solution or have yet to begin considering how to connect their telecommunicators and callers via text.
Text-to-911 Resources
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Choosing the Right Text-to-911 Implementation for Your Comm Center
At many ECCs, text-to-911 solutions are still on the way, but for many other, the solutions is already here.
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Interim SMS Text-to-9-1-1 Information and Planning Guide
The purpose of this Guide is to provide a detailed overview of the Interim SMS text-to-9-1-1 solution. The document describes the service, areas of consideration for Public Safety, and related planning and implementation recommendations. Portions of this document have been adopted from multiple sources, including early adopters.
Public Filings, Notices and Orders: Text-to-911
News
Text-to-9-1-1, The Past, Present and Future
APCO Statement on FCC Announcement to Address Text-to-911 at the August Open Meeting
APCO President Gigi Smith said, “We applaud the Commission for moving forward on this important item and look forward to reviewing the order and further notice after it is adopted.”
Public Safety & Emerging Technology: NG9-1-1, Text to 9-1-1 & More
“Don’t be scared; be smart,” Mark S. Adams, director, principal architect networks and communications, Northrop Grumman Information Systems, advised attendees of the APCO International Emerging Technology Forum on Jan. 30. Although Adams was specifically speaking to the need to secure data and networks, the advice could apply to every topic addressed during the forum. Wednesday morning’s speakers focused on the next generation PSAP, NG9-1-1 and the new public safety ecosystem. The increasing amount of data that will be available to 9-1-1 PSAPs and managing that data were major concerns echoed by all the speakers. A common theme stated eloquently by…
APCO Joins in Voluntary Industry Agreement to Offer Text to 9-1-1 Services
The nation’s four largest wireless carriers, joined by the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International and the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), announced yesterday an agreement on a voluntary commitment to offer text-to-9-1-1 services. APCO International helped ensure the agreement will best meet the needs of the public safety community and other stakeholders.
SMS Text to 9-1-1: Do You Have a Game Plan?
Recent announcements that several major carriers will be launching national-level solutions for sending SMS texts to 9-1-1 have created a lot of excitement and trepidation in our industry. Technology improvements and changes often have that effect. We are excited to move forward and do “new things,” but at the same time we are concerned about the operational impact that new technologies will have on our PSAPs and personnel. The concept of sending text calls to 9-1-1 is not new. The reality that this capability is now around the corner, however, is hitting home with many agencies. Does your PSAP have…
APCO Releases White Paper: Text Messages in a PSAP Environment
The APCO Emerging Technologies Committee is pleased to offer a white paper for our members: Text Messages in a PSAP Environment. This paper evaluates interim 9-1-1 text solutions, including the technologies used, lessons learned from early deployments both in the United States and in Europe and the status of interim options. The intent of this paper is to provide the reader with an overview of current text technologies that should be considered as we transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) solutions. Download it here: APCO Emerging Tech Text-to-911 Final