A new coalition representing diverse public safety stakeholders and 9-1-1 professionals is urging
Congress to pass legislation that enables a nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS RELEASE August 25, 2020
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, comprised of stakeholders from every
discipline within the public safety community including the fire service, emergency medical
service, law enforcement, and 9-1-1 professionals, is committed to advancing legislation that
enables a nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1. The Coalition has united behind
legislative principles that will address the needs and concerns of public safety.
Next Generation 9-1-1 will enable first responders and 9-1-1 professionals to utilize voice, text,
data, and video to better respond to calls for emergency assistance in the way the public expects
today. Congress should pass legislation that provides the resources needed to help local and state
governments upgrade this essential critical infrastructure.
The Next Generation 9-1-1 Act of 2019, introduced by Representatives Anna Eshoo and John
Shimkus in the House, and by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Catherine Cortez Masto in the
Senate, is a foundation upon which the Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition seeks to
build.
To ensure successful implementation of a much-needed nationwide upgrade, the Coalition is
calling for the following principles to be incorporated as part of NG9-1-1 legislation:
• NG9-1-1 should be technologically and competitively neutral, and use commonly
accepted standards that do not lead to proprietary solutions that hamper interoperability,
make mutual aid between agencies less effective, limit choices, or increase costs.
• Development of program requirements, grant guidance, application criteria, and rules
regarding NG9-1-1 grants should be guided by an advisory board of public safety
practitioners and 9-1-1 professionals.
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• Sufficient funding in the amount of $15 billion to ensure NG9-1-1 is deployed throughout
the country in an effective, innovative, and secure manner and to enable NG9-1-1
implementation training nationwide.
• The process for allocating funds to localities should be efficient, federal overhead costs
should be minimized, and grant conditions should not be onerous or extraneous and
should be targeted to achieve important objectives including interoperability and
sustainability.
• Cybersecurity of NG9-1-1 systems should be a primary consideration.
• Incentives for increased efficiency of NG9-1-1 functions, including through shared
technology and regional collaboration, should be included.
Leaders representing public safety organizations that are part of the coalition provided the
following quotes:
Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County (MI), Vice President of Government Affairs of the
Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA):
“This robust group of organizations which represent all aspects of the public safety community
has come to consensus on what our country needs to upgrade, secure, and modernize our
outdated and aging 9-1-1 infrastructure. The work done by this coalition will dramatically
change and improve the way 9-1-1 operates every time someone calls for help in their time of
need. We appreciate the work being done by Congress to ensure this legislation is passed in a
thoughtful and timely manner.”
Chief Art Acevedo, Houston Police Department, President of the Major Cities Chiefs
Association (MCCA):
“Our nation is in critical need of an upgrade to our 9-1-1 infrastructure and as part of the Public
Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, the Major Cities Chiefs Association has worked
extensively with our public safety colleagues to develop legislative principles that provide the
resources needed for a nationwide upgrade. Effective public safety communication is essential to
the safety and security of our communities and first responders. Unfortunately, there are
insufficient state and local funds to cover the cost of the much-needed upgrade. Through
commonly accepted standards, incentives, and an informed approach to grant making, our first
responders and 9-1-1 professionals will be better equipped to handle and respond to 21st century
demands.”
Chief Richard Carrizzo, President and Chairman of the Board of the International Association
of Fire Chiefs (IAFC):
“Next Generation 9-1-1 offers a great opportunity for local fire, EMS and law enforcement to
better provide service to their communities. Because of the cost and scale of NG 9-1-1
deployment, we will require federal assistance. These principles provide for the scope required
for a nationwide initiative, while ensuring the input of local first responders which are the end
users of a NG 9-1-1 system.”
Chief Steven Casstevens, President of the International Association of Chiefs of Police
(IACP):
“The IACP joins public safety stakeholders across the country in calling for Congress to pass
legislation that would provide the resources needed to upgrade 9-1-1 systems infrastructure, so
that police and the rest of the public safety community can better serve the people we were
sworn to protect. 9-1-1 systems are critical infrastructure, that desperately need upgrading to
enhance interoperability and emergency response assistance.”
President Kyle L. Thornton of the National Association of State EMS Officials
(NASEMSO):
“This initiative will build, along with FirstNet, the interoperable framework EMS needs to meet
the medical emergency challenges the country faces now and for the foreseeable future.”
Sheriff David Mahoney, Dane County (WI), President of the National Sheriffs’ Association
(NSA):
“The Nation’s Sheriffs support NG9-1-1 legislation that allows us to save others while providing
for a safer environment for First Responders nationwide by modernizing law enforcement
communications. The ability to share voice, text, data and video between public safety and
dispatch centers regardless of size or location will greatly enhance our ability to respond to
events and improve lifesaving services.”
President Margie Moulin of the Association of Public Safety Communications Professionals (APCO):
“9-1-1 professionals across the country would greatly benefit from Next Generation 9-1-1
technology to carry out their life-saving missions. We were pleased to collaborate with our
partner public safety associations on legislative language that will best ensure that Next
Generation 9-1-1 is implemented in an interoperable, competitive, innovative, and secure
manner.”
About the Coalition
The Public Safety Next Generation 9-1-1 Coalition, comprised of stakeholders from every
discipline within the public safety community, is committed to advancing legislation to enable a
nationwide upgrade to Next Generation 9-1-1.
CONTACT: Capt Mel Maier
Maierm@oak.gov.com
(248) 431 – 1007
