by ECC Editor | Feb 19, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
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
by ECC Editor | Feb 18, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
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
by ECC Editor | Feb 18, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
Each year, states consider or enact legislation aimed at supporting and improving the efficiency of 9-1-1 emergency communication services. The National 9-1-1 Program and the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) are pleased to make a summary of 2020 key enacted legislation available.
Since 2012, the 9-1-1 Legislation Tracking Database has served as a resource for states looking to improve their emergency communications operations or gather insight into neighboring legislative efforts. It allows states to easily compare recently enacted—or modifications to existing—laws involving 9-1-1… READ MORE
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 18, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News, Jobs
For several years, my bonus daughter Katie was a 911 dispatcher based here in Tri-cities. She loved it and excelled at it. But there were certainly very stressful moments. She’s focusing on being a mom right now, but I remember her saying that the benefits are excellent and the pay is good, but the experience is priceless. She hasn’t talked about too many of the things that happened (I think they’re not supposed to), only some generalities about crazy calls and such. She was even named Dispatcher Of the Year! …
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 18, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
Last week’s Advocate discussing the difference between FirstNet and commercial networks that concluded that FirstNet needs to continue to stand alone and not become part of a network of networks was one of the most viewed and commented on Advocates I have written in a while. Most of the comments agreed that FirstNet is different from a typical commercial broadband network from The FirstNet Authority down to the public-safety professionals whose network it is…
by AllThingsECC.com | Feb 17, 2021 | Articles, Comm Center News
By Richard Mirgon, Public Safety Consultant
This is a message for Verizon and Andres Irlando, a Verizon senior vice president and president of the carrier’s Public Sector and Verizon Connect unit. You are going down a path that is well traveled and not new. You can go back decades and see all the work done by thousands to resolve public safety interoperability and that path is lined with many failures.
Now since I am somewhat of an expert on this topic let me help you out with some observations and good history. You can look at all the standards work the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) has done, along with the work the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) has done. There are standards that cover everything from CAD to CAD interfaces, NextGen Networks to Land Mobile Radio (LMR). The largest having been P25. They have all had varying levels of success but none of those have solved the problem…
