Current
Issues in Wireless E911 Implementation
Free Cell Phones for Emergency 911 Use
How to carry a cell phone for emergency use only at no cost!
http://www.andreas.com/faq-cell911.html
Dispatch Monthly Magazine
Contains articles on a wide variety of issues related to E911.
http://www.911dispatch.com/db/index.php
"Making sure 911 emergency help is there if you need
it"
Consumer Reports, January 2006, an article that discusses some
drawbacks in connecting to 911 with certain types of devices.http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/electronics-computers/911-when-you-need-it-106-911-call-911-emergency/overview/index.htm
GPS-Tracking in Cell Phones, Is Privacy Protected?
Many people are concerned about loss of privacy if cell phones
are outfitted with GPS transmitters. Some articles related to
the issue follow:
“Using
the GPS for People Tracking” TravelByGPS.com summarizes
several methods and vendors related to GPS-tracking on cell
phones.
"When
a Cell Phone Is More than a Phone: Protecting Your Privacy in
the Age of the Super-Phone" Privacy Rights Clearinghouse,
a November 2005 report
"Will
Big Brother Spy on E911 Cell Calls?" ABC News,
March 4, 2006
National Public Safety Organizations
NENA - National Emergency Number Association
NENA's mission is to foster the technological advancement, availability,
and implementation of a universal emergency telephone number system.
In carrying out its mission, NENA promotes research, planning,
training and education. The protection of human life, the preservation
of property and the maintenance of general community security
are among NENA's objectives.
www.nena.org/
APCO - Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials - International,
Inc. is the world's oldest and largest not-for-profit professional
organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications.
http://www.apcointl.org
NAED - The National Academies of Emergency Dispatch
The NAED is a non-profit standard-setting organization promoting
safe and effective emergency dispatch services world-wide. Comprised
of three allied Academies for medical, fire and police dispatching,
the NAED supports first-responder related research, unified
protocol application, legislation for emergency call center
regulation, and strengthening the emergency dispatch community
through education, certification, and accreditation.
http://www.emergencydispatch.org/
ComCARE Alliance - Communications for Coordinated Assistance
and Response to Emergencies
ComCARE consists of over fifty organizations representing physicians
and nurses, the wireless industry, auto safety groups, telematics
service providers, and public safety groups working together
to enhance the nation's emergency response systems. http://www.comcare.org
Digital
Technology for Public Safety
Cell Phones and E911
The number of 9-1-1 calls originating from cell phones continues
to increase every year. When the trend began a decade ago, the
FCC adopted rules requiring phone service providers, cell phone
manufacturers, and PSAPs to implement new technologies to make
it possible to locate cell phone users in an emergency. http://www.911.org/CellStats.php
Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD)
For public safety agencies, CAD systems automate call-taking
and incident dispatching processes by managing emergency calls
and the routing of public safety personnel. Other emerging technologies
streamline the paperwork process and promote information sharing
between law enforcement agencies. Public safety vehicles equipped
with mobile display terminals (MDTs) allow personnel to complete
incident reports from the field, and can provide access to motor
vehicle and NCIC database information. For information and statistics
from the City/County 911 Center in Billings, http://ci.billings.mt.us/index.asp?NID=460
Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
Because in many cases, VoIP services operate much like traditional
telephone service, including the capability to make calls to
and receive calls from users on the traditional telephone network,
some customers assume that these services also offer comparable
access to 911 services. Read about VoIP and 911 at http://www.voip911.gov/.
Emergency Notification Services (ENS), also referred to as
Reverse 9-1-1
Reverse 9-1-1 improves lines of communication to the general
population and targeted groups by accessing phone number data
in E911 databases and automating computer-generated calls that
deliver recorded messages to residents. This technology assists
with notification and evacuation in large-scale emergencies
by generating thousands of calls per hour.
http://www.billingsgazette.net/articles/2006/01/11/opinion/export241770.txt
Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL)
Using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology, dispatchers
are able to view on a map the location of public safety vehicles,
an effective tool to dispatch resources located closest to a
reported incident. http://www.jescomusa.com/avl.htm
Telematics / Automatic Crash Notification (ACN)
Sometimes referred to as "mayday" systems, telematics
(.pdf file) devices are like "black boxes" in vehicles.
In the event of a crash, an ACN device immediately initiates
a connection to emergency responders using wireless communications
capabilities and transmits critical crash information. GPS technology
is used to convey location information, and sensors that detect
speed, G forces, and number of occupants can help to predict
the probability of severe injury.
Automatic HAZMAT Crash Notification
Taking Telematics one step further, an Automatic HAZMAT Crash
Notification system is being tested that alerts police, fire,
EMS, hospitals and certified HAZMAT response teams in the event
of an accident involving the transport of hazardous materials.
In addition, the device can also be programmed for excessive
speed notification, service diagnostics, and vehicle tracking
(if the vehicle is stolen, hijacked or tampered with). "Digital
fences" can report if a HAZMAT vehicle leaves a geographically
designated boundary.
http://www.drivers.com/cgi-bin/go.cgi?type=ART&id=000000493&static=1
911 Law, Policy
& Initiatives
Federal Communications Commission
Since the
Telecommunications
Act of 1996 which de-regulated the telephone industry, there
has been a wealth of federal legislation enacted and
FCC
Orders adopted that pertain to E911 services and public safety
communications. In 2001, the FCC commissioned the
Hatfield
Report to examine technical and operational issues affecting
E911 implementation. Most recently, all public-safety related
efforts and planning within the FCC were united under the
Public
Safety and Homeland Security Bureau.
Montana E911
In Montana, planning, coordination and implementation of public
safety programs is overseen by the
Public
Safety Services Bureau. A federal grant awarded in 2003 allowed
the State to investigate the feasibility of developing a "
statewide
solution" to providing E911 services, recognizing the
infrastructure challenges posed by Montana's expansive rural areas
and uneven population dispersement. As a result, the majority
of Montana counties are now able to provide Enhanced 911 service.
Montana State Code pertaining to E911
Title 10. Military Affairs and Disaster and Emergency Services,
Chapter 4. State Emergency Telephone System of the Montana State
Code deals with the establishment, distribution and regulation
of emergency telecommunications accounts.
http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/mca_toc/10_4_3.htm.
