Realizing the Promise of Transitioning to NG9-1-1

By Paul Fahey, Director of External Affairs, PlantCML®, an EADS North America Company

Read any trade publication or attend any industry conference and you will find Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) is the primary topic of conversation in the world of public safety. Because these discussions generally revolve around technology, the real reason why NG9-1-1 is important – improved public safety - is not always acknowledged. The varying perspectives of all public and private stakeholders tend to compound matters, oftentimes making it difficult to remember this shared goal.

Perhaps taking a different point of view is the best way to bring clarity to NG9-1-1, helping drive continued standards development and catapulting emergency communications to the next level.

So how is the promise of improved public safety realized in the next-generation Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) environment? It is only achieved through a balanced marriage of technology and operations. Accordingly, next-generation solutions must be selected and implemented in such a way as to enhance the public safety agency's overall operational effectiveness. The question is whether NG9-1-1 should evolve as a top-down process or as a bottom-up one. Will NG9-1-1 be defined by those who manage it, or those who use the information it provides to get assistance to people in emergencies? Who knows best?

It is commonly believed technology, in and of itself, plays only a fractional part in augmenting public safety. The adoption of applications, such as computer-aided dispatch (CAD) and mobile data computing (MDC), are furthering the cause. Yet other elements which are key to improvement, operations and ergonomics, are not receiving sufficient attention. Little consideration is being given to vital subjects such as avoiding sensory overload ("intelligent data display"), Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) modification, telecommunicator training (technology/data utilization) and operational collaboration (true interoperability).

PSAPs must become more proactive in preparing for this transition by creating a solid foundation built on existing systems or methodologies. Plans should include a migration path with current vendors or a clear, definitive outline for those under consideration in the future. A better understanding of NG9-1-1 as it now stands and as it evolves, coupled with planning for the necessary fiscal, technical, operational and personnel resources, is essential. This preparation will help PSAPs define what NG9-1-1 is, as opposed to it defining what they will ultimately become.

While substantial progress has been made on many fronts, there is no clear definition of NG9-1-1. As a result, it is increasingly difficult for industry and public safety emergency communications in general to focus on new product and services development. Further complicating matters is the absence of formal technical and operational standards. This combination creates numerous challenges, and fortunately even greater possibilities, for the evolutionary improvement of public safety.

The new administration in Washington, D.C., can have a significant positive impact on the 9-1-1 industry in general. The recently approved stimulus package is only one such example. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and other key Federal agencies, such as the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS), Transportation (DoT) and Commerce (DoC), will be increasingly important players in NG9-1-1 discussions. The Obama Administration and Congress will play a key role in addressing funding challenges and regulatory and policy issues so as to encourage, and not impede, NG9-1-1 development.

For example, the stimulus money can be used to extend broadband to public safety where it can be applied to building the backbone of NG9-1-1 networks. Funds through the E9-1-1 grant program are slated for availability later this year. There is also $9.7 billion for public safety in the State Fiscal Stabilization Fund, which could be used toward 9-1-1 programs, along with relieving some of the pressure from diversion of 9-1-1 surcharge funds.

The 9-1-1 industry needs to work through existing organizations, such as APCO, NENA, NASNA, 9IA and the E9-1-1 Institute, to drive the standards of tomorrow and their adoption. Forging new partnerships with important groups like the National Governors Association (NGA), National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) and National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), will also prove beneficial.

PSAPs can maximize their dollars in these difficult economic times by thinking outside the box, as well as by protecting traditional funding sources. Likewise, states should continue their work to ensure collection of surcharge funds from the growing prepaid wireless device population. If wire-line revenues are dropping - and they are - it is important that wireless and VoIP devices are making up the difference. (Prepaid wireless is a huge way to fill the gap.)

PSAPs should also seek other Federal grants, considering those far beyond their traditional resources. Currently there are programs at the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Justice, Transportation and Energy, which could prove relevant for a particular jurisdiction in funding 9-1-1 acquisitions. This money could also be used to obtain other systems, such as emergency notification technology or public mobile radio solutions, further augmenting public safety communications.

How is the promise of improved public safety realized in the NG9-1-1 PSAP environment? In other words, is pain of today going to be worth the proposed benefits of tomorrow? The answer is clearly yes.

Despite the challenges that NG9-1-1 creates, the opportunities are even greater. Not only will technological advances promote numerous operational efficiencies, they will provide multiple methods of notifying agencies of emergencies and support various sources of data relative to events. Together these achievements will supply first responders a greater means of providing help and reinforce the industry's shared goal of improving public safety - now and into the future.