NENA supports 9-1-1 enhancement initiative

National Emergency Number Association (NENA) personnel said the organization supports the House of Representatives’ recent action creating a new $12 billion federal grant program upgrading the nation’s 9-1-1 centers.

Next Generation 9-1-1 was incorporated into the Moving Forward Act, a package of federal transportation and infrastructure bills that, if enacted, would help 9-1-1 agencies nationwide expedite Next Generation 9-1-1 system deployment to withstand disasters and cyberattacks, push and pull data from smartphones and sensors and better locate wireless callers.

“Funding NG9-1-1 is one of those special opportunities for both parties to come together, support a top public safety priority, and deliver life-saving benefits to every American,” Gary Bell, president of NENA: The 9-1-1 Association, said. “We thank House leadership for their dedication to improving 9-1-1, and we are encouraged by the growing bipartisan commitment to NG9-1-1.”

Bell said all Americans deserve high-performing 9-1-1 service, no matter where they live, work, or travel.

“We call on the House and Senate to work together to send a strong NG9-1-1 bill supported by all 9-1-1 stakeholders to the president’s desk as soon as possible.”

The NENA maintains if the upgrade is implemented, 9-1-1 centers would be able to transfer calls and the associated data to other centers during disasters, service outages, or when calls are misrouted. Such processes are presently difficult and time-consuming in most communities, officials noted.