Blue Ribbon Panel on 9-1-1 Funding
Friday, January 6, 2012  The National 9-1-1 Program is interested in funding a project to conduct a Blue Ribbon Panel on 9-1-1 Funding.  The Panel was recommended by Working Group 4B of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC’s) Communications Security, Reliability and Interoperability Council (CSRIC), a formal FCC advisory group whose report to the FCC was delivered in March of 2011.  The primary objective of this project is to utilize stakeholder input to complete a document containing options for local, State and national 9-1-1 funding and oversight models, specifically developed by an organization with expertise in economics. 

Multiple organizations both public and private have produced reports stating the deficiencies of current models in providing adequate funding and oversight for the provision of 9-1-1 services.  Present methods of funding 9-1-1 systems vary widely, are shifting as the public’s methods of communication evolve, and are challenged by a variety of other factors, including inequity in collections across types of telecommunication service, collection challenges with services such as prepaid wireless, auditing issues, and diversion of funds for non-9-1-1 purposes.  While there is no consensus on how to fund and/or oversee 9-1-1 services, there is agreement that the transition to the Next Generation of 9-1-1 will require the development of new funding models.  As stated in the 4B report, “Without implementation of new funding models to provide an adequate alternate and additional source of revenue for NG9‑1‑1 systems, the transition period to NG9‑1‑1 will be protracted and compromised, service to our citizens will be jeopardized, and Public Safety’s ability to keep pace with technological developments will be hampered.” 

NHTSA would like to answer the following questions: What funding and oversight models currently exist for 9-1-1 services at the local, State and national levels?
What is the contractor’s economic analysis of current funding and oversight models?
Are current funding and oversight models or portions of current models adaptable as 9-1-1 services migrate to NG9-1-1?
What economic principles and/or theories should be applied in developing funding and oversight models for local, State and national 9-1-1 authorities?
Are there examples of other funding and oversight models from other public or private entities that could be adopted or adapted for us by 9-1-1 services?
Given the current status of 9-1-1 nationwide and the goal of migrating to NG9-1-1, which models show promise in providing consistent funding and oversight in the provision of 9-1-1 services?

Entities interested in participating in this project can click here for more information.

Immediate Past President Steve O’Conor Resigns from NENA Executive Board
Wednesday, November 2, 2011  Posted by: Chris NussmanNENA President Rick Galway recently announced that Immediate Past President Steve O’Conor has accepted a job in the private sector and, in accordance with NENA’s bylaws, resigned from the Executive Board. “On behalf of the Executive Board, I thank Steve for his exemplary service to NENA,” said Galway. “He has been a valuable asset to the association for many years – first as a committee volunteer, then as a committee leader, and, most recently, on the Executive Board. I wish him the best in his new position and look forward to his continued involvement in other NENA activities.” O’Conor will remain as Chair of the Publications Committee. 

Article IV Section 2 of NENA’s bylaws states that, “[Executive Board] Officers may derive no more than 15% of their income from commercial activity connected in any way to the 9-1-1 industry.” The position of Immediate Past President will remain vacant until June of 2012 when President Galway assumes that office.

NENA Launches Public Safety SmartBrief
Wednesday, September 28, 2011  NENA has launching a FREE e-mail news service called Public Safety SmartBrief. It will provide a weekly summary of news, trends, & updates on public safety issues – not just 9-1-1, but police, fire, & EMS as well. Public Safety SmartBrief brings you the news that really matters. Knowledgeable editors handpick key articles from hundreds of publications, summarize them, & provide direct links to the original sources. In other words, we do all the research & you get the latest news in your inbox or on your handheld device, absolutely free.Sign up now or read a sample issue.

National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Public Comment Deadline Approaching
Monday, September 19, 2011  The National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Working Group (NAGWG) requests feedback from 9-1-1 industry stakeholders on proposed guidelines that would serve as the basis for a statewide 9-1-1 program assessment process. All comments are due by Monday, September 26.

The National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines will serve as a comprehensive benchmark for statewide 9-1-1 systems to measure their progress as unique and important entities, and will help to facilitate a coordinated effort to advance 9-1-1 across the country. The Guidelines represent high-level functions that should exist within a statewide 9-1-1 system. Assessments will be used to provide recommendations for system enhancement and identify needs for resources to bridge gaps. Any assessment process that is established will be conducted on a voluntary basis.
The Guidelines are the result of a project of The 9-1-1 Resource Center, sponsored by the United States Department of Transportation’s National 9-1-1 Program,and were developed by the NAGWG using a consensus-based process. The NAGWG is comprised of 9-1-1 professionals that represent various segments of 9-1-1 from local and state government, national associations, and the industry.
The 9-1-1 Resource Center serves the 9-1-1 community through three key initiatives: an information clearinghouse, a technical and operational assistance center for state and local 9-1-1 authorities, and a national 9-1-1 profile database for compiling information that can be used to measure and report on the progress of 9-1-1. The 911 Resource Center, produced in partnership with 911.gov, is operated by L.R. Kimball, a CDI Company under cooperative agreement DTNH22-08-H-00224 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and supported by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).