NOW IS THE TIME TO COORDINATE EFFORTS
Dear Colleagues, We live in world where nearly 80% of American adults own smartphones. Many people use mobile devices to direct nearly every aspect of their lives, including making emergency calls. Today, more than 75% of 911 calls are made with wireless devices. Yet, our nation’s public safety emergency communication system is
struggling to adapt to this new digital world. Two game-changing public safety systems are currently being implemented across the United States. Next Generation 911 (NG911) is an internet protocol (IP)-based calling system that allows for more data-rich communication to 911 and is replacing antiquated analog 911 infrastructure. The Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (FirstNet) is a wireless broadband network dedicated to public safety communications. Broadband is the common element of both networks, and that technology enables new capabilities that have the potential to dramatically improve our nation’s ability to keep our citizens and first responders safe. FirstNet is being coordinated at the federal level, but NG911 has been left to local and state government bodies to tackle. Although FirstNet and NG911 are being funded and built as separate projects, they are two inseparable parts of one whole: our nation’s public safety communications system. The need for NG911 and FirstNet to be interoperable is not optional; it is essential to acheiving the vision of both systems. Now is the time to focus our efforts and resources on engaging all stakeholders to identify and plan for how these two systems will work together to best serve the needs of our communities and first responders. As a community, we need to focus on the resources, support and policies needed locally and nationally to coordinate smart, digitally-adaptive, responsive public safety communication networks. Those who are implementing NG911 and FirstNet need to work together proactively to ensure that this essential interoperability actually occurs. Now is the time to bring the service providers, vendors, 911 and public safety agencies, and software and application developers together to connect these two complex broadband networks – one wireless, and one wireline, or fiber based. No one entity or stakeholder group has responsibility for funding and developing processes and standards to make this happen. It is only through diligent collaboration will the goal of interoperability be achieved. Let’s keep the big picture in mind and approach this effort
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NG911 & FirstNet: Bringing People and Public Safety Together
Resources
together with care and thoughtfulness. Evelyn Bailey , Executive Director National Association of State 911 Administrators
This publication subscribes to the common use of “FirstNet” to reference the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN). FirstNet was originally used as an abbreviation for the First Responder Network Authority, the entity tasked with planning for and implementing the NPSBN.
The National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA), offers support for 911 professionals and public policymakers at all levels of government by providing information and expertise on the complex issues surrounding the evolution of emergency communications.
Next Generation 911 & FirstNet 1
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