California governor touts 9-1-1 system upgrades

Citing the state’s desire to upgrade California’s analog 9-1-1 system microwave network to a digital platform, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently touted a $1 billion investment in emergency preparedness and response funding.

During a 9-1-1 call center tour at the San Francisco Department of Emergency Management, Newsom said new funding included in the 2019 budget act to modernize 9-1-1 systems across the state would aid in better preparation to help those in need during emergencies and natural disasters.

“During my first week in office, I proposed making crucial updates to modernize our antiquated 9-1-1 system,” he said. “The idea that it’s 2019, and we are using analog systems designed decades ago is astounding. We need to make investments to make sure the technology aligns with devices people are using daily.”

California’s network of 9-1-1 systems uses pre-Internet and pre-cellphone era technology that has proven to be unreliable, hindering the ability of dispatchers and emergency responders and threatening lives. Over the last year, there have been an average of thirteen 9-1-1 outages per month, equaling 22,705 minutes when 9-1-1 was not available.

The budget includes a $50 million one-time investment with a revised fee structure to maintain and improve the state’s 9-1-1 system. The action and investment will ensure the 9-1-1 system aims to deliver emergency calls in three seconds or less.

“California’s antiquated, analog microwave network must be upgraded to a digital network to maintain safety operations that can integrate into the 21st-century technology everyone is using,” Newsom said.