tion among responders.
communicating with one another in the field, and allows them to receive important digital information from PSAPs. Through the FirstNet network, emergency dispatchers can securely share critical information about the scene of an incident, such as building layouts, potential injuries, photos, videos and real-time updates, includ- ing information provided by the public to PSAPs via NG911. FirstNet ensures that first responder teams can still communicate with each other when public communication channels are overloaded. Explains Johnson, “The FirstNet spectrum is so large that it can hold hundreds of simultaneous communications without clogging a network.” Together, NG911 and FirstNet are two parts of one emergency communica- tion system that moves public safety technology into the digital age. They complement each other and, when coordinated, will enable the exchange of rich data between and among the public, 911 and first responders. What’s the difference between the systems? You have likely heard of FirstNet because it was created with govern- ment oversight and was initially funded by Congress. It’s a dedicated public safety broadband network, built by AT&T, that allows for local, regional and nationwide communica-
informed decisions at the scene.
You may not have heard of NG911 because it’s being implemented independently by states, regional authorities, counties and municipali- ties. NG911 technology is based on software systems running on hard- wired, high-speed managed networks. This technology inter-connects PSAPs with systems that are able to deliver improved location accuracy, caller information, and data related to a location, such as sensors or alarms. The NG911 infrastructure enhances dispatchers' ability to receive 911 calls from mobile phones and devices, as well as receive text messages and faster, more accurate caller location information. Once NG911 is implemented, fire- fighters and other emergency service providers will reap more benefits from FirstNet. NG911 is the other half of the equation because it allows the public to send relevant data to call centers and enables firefighters to have access to this data to make mission-critical decisions. How soon will NG911 be upgraded in my community? The progress for implementing NG911 varies nationwide. Some states have not yet begun planning, while oth- ers are in progress and some, like Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts and Indiana, have completed the initial transition to NG911. n
Fire protection engineers like Casey Grant, Executive Director of the Fire Protection Research Foundation at the National Fire Protection Association, viewNG911's ability to handle rich data as vital for the dangerous job of fire- fighting. “During an emergency event, seconds matter,” Grant says. “You have to make correct decisions with the right amount and quality of data.” More information means first respond- ers are safer thanks to improved situ- ational awareness. Grant says that the data from NG911 also is important for post-incident investigations. “Firefighters do wonder, ‘if I can do it on my cell phone, why can’t we do it on 911?’” says Fire Chief Gary McCarra- her, Chair of International Association of Fire Chiefs’ Communications Com- mittee. “Consumer technology is light years ahead of where we are.” Put another way: “Fourteen-year-olds in America have better technology than public responders,” says Chief Jeff Johnson, CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association and former Vice Chair of the FirstNet Board of Directors. What is FirstNet and why do we need both NG911 and FirstNet? FirstNet is a wireless nationwide
network that gives public safety officials a dedicated network for
NG911 3
Made with FlippingBook - professional solution for displaying marketing and sales documents online