Because of an upgrade to its 911 emergency network, the Cortez Dispatch Center is asking businesses and organizations to check that they can still reach 911.
Businesses and organizations that have a phone system with more than one extension are encouraged to talk with their phone system provider and IT staff to ensure their system is configured correctly for 911 calls… READ MORE
More than 80% of calls to 911 come from a cellphone and often from a high-rise. But in cases when callers can’t communicate their location, the over 5,000 locally run 911 centers, or public safety answering points (PSAP) aren’t easily able to track them. Fixing the system could save more than 10,000 lives and $97 billion per year according to the FCC. Major companies like Apple, Google, Motorola and startups like RapidSOS have tried to fill the technology gap, but so far, that’s not enough. Watch the video to understand the conundrum of a large and fragmented national system that is run and funded locally, and how the federal government may be its only hope for a complete overhaul… READ MORE
MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally yesterday testified in support of SB 658 Maryland Department of Emergency Management – Establishment and Transfer of Maryland 9-1-1 Board before the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee.
This bill elevates the Maryland Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) to the Governor’s cabinet and transfers the Maryland 9-1-1 Board to MEMA… READ MORE
HIGHLANDS — Residents of this borough may have plenty of questions about the pros and cons of the town’s police department switching over to the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office emergency dispatch system, but one thing is clear — they certainly love, respect and are grateful for the members of their local police department. Council took no action at the end of an almost three-hour public meeting last night to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of eliminating the four, full time dispatcher positions at the borough police department in favor of switching to the county-wide system, with emergency and non-emergency calls answered by 9-1-1 telecommunications specialists based in Freehold… READ MORE
FCC commissioners took the first step in fulfilling a mandate from Congress by unanimously approving a proposed rules to help tackle the longstanding issue of states and other governmental entities diverting revenues from 911 fees to initiatives that are not related to the emergency-call workflow.
In December, Congress passed the “Don’t Break Up the T-Band Act of 2020,” which included language directing the FCC to adopt rules by June 25 that define what types of funding would constitute improper diversion of revenues collected from 911 fees charged to phone subscribers. In addition, the legislation charged the FCC with establishing an interagency strike force to study the matter and report to Congress in the fall… READ MORE
