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
APCO’s Advocacy Priorities for 2024
More Information than You Ever Wanted about Fixing the Federal Classification of 9-1-1 Professionals
For all the complexity of our campaign to fix an obscure federal data system, it really boils down to the fact that 9-1-1 professionals perform lifesaving work, and labeling them as “administrative” personnel is ridiculous.
The 9-1-1 SAVES Act has been reintroduced. You might be asking members of Congress to co-sponsor the bill and explaining why congressional action is needed. Thus, it’s time for a deep dive on correcting the federal classification of 9-1-1 professionals. Even for those who have been following the issue closely, there’s likely new information here that will be of interest.
Text-to-9-1-1, The Past, Present and Future
Text-to-9-1-1 brings with it many complex issues for which practitioners, standards bodies and private industry must all work together to craft solutions to ensure that text-to-9-1-1 provides the same level of service as voice-to-9-1-1.
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.
