DHS initiates NG911 systems viability testing

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) and Department of Transportation (DOT) have initiated the Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems interoperability and compatibility testing process.

The agencies have selected the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Institute (CIRI) led by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to spearhead the initiative.

NG911 is centered around an updated version of the current nationwide emergency response system operating on an Internet Protocol (IP) platform, officials said, enabling voice, video, photographs, text, and future communications technologies to be transmitted to and by the public and first responders for assistance.

“There are numerous vendors developing solutions in the NG911 ecosystem to ensure that interoperability and compatibility across systems will provide effective responses and address vital needs to truly support emergency communications needs,” Sridhar Kowdley, S&T program manager, said.

The scope of work will include understanding and obtaining end-user consensus on requirements for interoperability and compatibility testing while also identifying the approach for establishing a program defining test approach and a proven and formal approach for ensuring interoperability.

“Establishing a nationwide, seamless system of 911 systems is dependent upon interconnection and interoperability,” Laurie Flaherty, coordinator of the National 911 Program, which is housed within the DOT, said. “Only by establishing testing requirements will true interoperability be ensured.”