Two members of Congress ask GAO for report on NG911 implementation challenges

Soon after the letter from Torres and Eshoo was released, representatives from multiple public-safety organizations expressed support for the action.

“Everyone who is concerned about public safety needs to know we are at a critical time in the transition to next-generation 911 systems,” Brian Fontes, CEO of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), said in a prepared statement. “Telecommunication providers are moving rapidly to all-IP networks, and FirstNet is developing the latest wireless broadband capabilities for public-safety field responders.

“Yet most of our nation’s 911 centers are still tethered to last-century, voice-centric technology. For the sake of the 240 million callers to 911 each year, and for the sake of every American community across the country, it is essential that government leaders focus more on achieving the goal of universal NG911 service by 2020.”

Nationwide implementation of NG911 by 2020 is the primary goal of the NG911 NOW Coalition that was established this year. Not surprisingly, the organization expressed support for the Torres and Eshoo letter to the GAO.

“Accelerating the implementation of nationwide NG911 services is essential to keep up with modern technology, improve emergency services to the public, and provide a more reliable 911 system,” iCERT Executive Director George Rice said in a prepared statement on behalf of the NG911 NOW Coalition.

“The GAO’s findings will be an important tool to highlight what steps can be taken at all levels of government to meet the ambitious goal set by the NG911 NOW Coalition earlier this year: By the end of 2020, all 911 systems and centers in all 56 states and territories will have sufficiently funded, standards-based, end-to-end, IP-based 911 capabilities.  We look forward to working with the GAO on this important effort.”

Patrick Halley, executive director of the NG911 Institute, also expressed support for the letter to the GAO in a prepared statement.

“The NG911 Institute appreciates the leadership of Rep. Torres and Rep. Eshoo in calling for an examination of the current status of NG911 implementation in the U.S. and what steps can be taken to accelerate the transition, including at the federal level,” Halley said. “We urge the GAO to quickly address the request and stand ready to serve as a resource in answering the critical issues raised in the letter.”