At the NENA Development Conference (February 5-8 in Orlando, FL), you have the opportunity to learn, in-depth, about the latest issues facing public safety, collaborate with your peers on documents and standards that will govern the emergency communications landscape of the 21st Century, and contribute to 9-1-1’s long-term ability to overcome (and proactively prevent) the challenges ahead.  |
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NENA Applauds FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking onNext Generation 9-1-1
- Read the NPRM
- Continue reading the NENA Release
- FCC Release: FCC Adopts NG9-1-1 NPRM & Staff PresentsNG9-1-1 Cost Study
- Next Generation 9-1-1 Cost Study
- FCC Chairman: 9-1-1 “a cornerstone of our public safetycommunications infrastructure.”
- Statements from Commissioners Clyburn, McDowell, & Copps
NENA to Co-Host National Workshop on 9-1-1Overload
The 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (9IA) will host anational workshop on 9-1-1 overload on October 4-5,2011, at theGeorgetown University Hotel and Conference Centerin Washington, D.C. Public safety decision-makersand government officials are invited to engage in anational dialog on this important problem, whichaffects people in need of help due to incidentsranging from routine emergencies to majordisasters. The workshop will feature prominentspeakers, working sessions, and panel discussionsintended to drive a national dialog that will helpalleviate 9-1-1 overload situations.
NENA Remembers September 11th
On this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks ofSeptember 11, 2001, NENA mourns the loss of lifethat day in New York, Arlington, VA, and Stonycreek,PA. We honor the efforts of first responders andcitizens alike who participated in the emergencyresponse, allowing so many to return home that nightwhen they themselves would not. Words cannotadequately express the debt of gratitude owed tothese heroes who showed the world, in the face ofunspeakable horror, the best that America andhumanity have to offer. Today, we remember them, thefamiles they left behind, and all affected by thistragedy.
Rep. Eshoo Calls for Nationwide, InteroperableCommunications Network for First Responders
Congratulations to Our Summer 2011 ENPs!
NENA is proud to recognize the15 individuals who successfully passed the Spring ENP Examand are now officially certified Emergency NumberProfessionals. You can also download a list of all our new ENPs from this testing period.
FCC Announces September Public Safety Showcase
The Federal Communications Commission’sOffice of Managing Director and the Public Safetyand Homeland Security Bureau recently announced thatduring the month of September, the FCC TechnologyExperience Center will showcase public safety andhomeland security technologies in recognition ofEmergency Preparedness Month.
NENA Consolidates Ops & Tech Committees intoNew Structure
Introduction to i3 Webinar – On-Demand ArchiveComing Soon!
NENA and theNext Generation Partner Programwould like to thank all who attended the first in aseries of webinars on the i3 document that tookplace on Thursday, August 18. An archivedversion of this presentation and question andanswer session designed to increase your knowledgeof i3 and answer some of the “big picture”questions surrounding i3 will be availabe early nextweek.
NENA CEO Visits VA & UT PSAPs
Visit theNENA Facebook page to see a few pictures of recent PSAP visitsby NENA’s CEO, Brian Fontes, and Director ofGovernment Affairs, Trey Forgety.
President Galway’s Welcome Message
Greetings NENA Members!
FEMA & FCC Unveil New Tip Sheet for Consumerson How to Communicate During Disasters
As part of National Preparedness Month, the FederalEmergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) releasednew tips for consumersaimed at preparing them for major disasters whencommunications networks are more likely to becompromised or damaged. Nearly one month ago, a5.8 magnitude earthquake and Hurricane Irene struckthe East Coast. In the minutes and hours thatfollowed, mobile networks experienced significantnetwork congestion, temporarily making it harder formillions of people to reach loved ones and emergencyservices. This tip sheetaims to help prepare Americans about how tocommunicate with each other, and loved ones, in theevent of another disaster.
National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Public CommentDeadline Approaching
The National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines WorkingGroup (NAGWG) requests feedback from 9-1-1 industrystakeholders on proposed guidelines that would serveas the basis for a statewide 9-1-1 programassessment process. All comments are due by Monday,September 26.
USDA Announces Funding to Improve 9-1-1 in RuralAmerica
Get Ready for the Nationwide EAS Test
On November 9, 2011, at 2 PM Eastern StandardTime (EST), the FCC and FEMA will conduct thefirst-ever, nationwide test of the Emergency AlertSystem (EAS). EAS alerts are transmitted overradio and television broadcast stations, cabletelevision and other media services. The purpose ofthe November 9th test is to assess thereliability and effectiveness of the system as a wayto alert the public during nationwideemergencies. Although FEMA and the FCC aretaking steps to ensure that broadcast announcementsare made during the test, some people may not see orhear these announcements and, as a result, 9-1-1Call Centers may receive calls. That is whyboth agencies are conducting various outreachactivities to educate 9-1-1 Call Centers and otherpublic safety agencies about the test. Inaddition, the FCC has established a websitededicated to the November 9th test whichcan be found on PSHSB’s website atwww.fcc.gov/pshs. Moreover, both agencies plan to work withEAS stakeholders to educate the public in advance ofthe test.
Free Webinar on Interoperability in an NG9-1-1World
Planning is the key first step in implementing anNG9-1-1(?)solution and realizing the improvements that it willbring. Solution planning considerations mustinclude the selection and deployment of a fully NENAcompliant Emergency Services IP network (ESInet) anda NENA i3 compliant NG9-1-1 functional and interfacearchitecture (a multimedia capable “call”processing platform), as well as identifyingoperational changes that are needed for the PSAP totake advantage of the NG9-1-1 data and environment.
Attend this free, one hour webinar presented by Cassidian Communicationson Wednesday, September 14 at 1PM Eastern to hear:
- What is important to understand about multimedia enablement in an NG9-1-1 world;
- What you can do to ensure your PSAP is NG9-1-1 ready; and
- How NG9-1-1 implementations will progress now that the NENA i3 standard is approved
FCC Chairman Announces Action Plan to Improve theDeployment of NG9-1-1
Friends meet at NENA2011
National NENA Conference keynote Speaker, Aron Ralstonand Tim Webb, Winston County AL 9-1-1 Director.
Aron is the climber who amputated his own arm tosave his life while canyoneering in Utah in 2003.Ralston documented the life-altering experience andhis remarkable will to survive in his New York Timesbest-selling book,Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
His story has been adapted into a movie byOscar-winning director Danny Boyle. The film,127 Hours, was nominated for six Oscars,including Best Picture. Thanks to the movie’ssuccess, the book returned to the Best Seller’s listfor another six weeks in 2010-11.
NENA Announces Partnership With Naylor, LLC
Naylor, LLC, North America’s leading media andevents partner for associations, is proud toannounce a new partnership with NENA. Naylor willbring its expertise in association media to NENA asit publishes their new quarterly magazine. Thismagazine will provide members with professional,peer-reviewed articles and timely industry news,including updates on technology, operations,training and policy. In addition to print, Naylorand NENA are working to bring this informativeresource to life in a fully interactive onlineversion.
NENA Applauds Senate Action on Next Generation9-1-1
On June 8, NENA praised Senator Amy Klobuchar(D-MN), along with Senate Commerce CommitteeChairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking MemberKay-Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) for working together toinclude support for Next Generation 9-1-1(?)(NG9-1-1(?)) in the SPECTRUM Act. “This is a significantstep in advancing our nation’s public safetyservices,” said NENA President, SteveO’Conor, ENP. “We are grateful toSenator Klobuchar for her fierce dedication toimproving 9-1-1 systems across the United States,and to Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Hutchisonfor recognizing the central role of 9-1-1 in anintegrated emergency communicationsenvironment.”
CRS Issues New Funding Report
On May 27, the Congressional Research Servicepublished a report entitled Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations. Topics covered in the paper include: governanceand grants; decision making and planning authority;cost estimates; managing radio frequency spectrum;and Congressional legislation.