911 Call Center Legislation PDF Download

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Book Description
Before Congress there now stand two bills that could strengthen 911 emergency call centers (Public Safety Answering Points, PSAPs) with new planning efforts and matching grant funds. In early 2003 Congress launched a bipartisan E911 (Enhanced 911) Caucus whose co-chairs subsequently introduced E911 legislation in both chambers. Although the two bills are similar in intent and have parallel provisions, there are also points of divergence with significant implications for emergency communications policy. Enhanced 911 refers to the capability of identifying the phone number and location of a call to a PSAP. The technology is widely used for wireline calls and is now being implemented for wireless calls. Among the obstacles encountered in the implementation of wireless E911 is the cost to PSAPs of upgrading systems and supporting expanded operations. Both S. 1250, the Enhanced 911 Emergency Communications Act of 2003, and H.R. 2898, the E-911 Implementation Act of 2003, would include the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) in programs to establish and manage coordination and funding programs as specified in the bills. Both bills propose 50-50 matching grants. Both bills would monitor state-authorized phone bill surcharges collected for 911 funding and penalize those that divert these funds to other purposes if they apply for grants. The Senate bill supports "ubiquitous" enhanced 911 nationwide; grants could be for any form of emergency communications, although preference would be given to PSAPs. The bill separates the function of coordinating efforts to improve emergency communications from that of providing funds. The House bill focuses on wireless E911 technology for location identification and links the planning and funding process in a Coordination Office. The Senate bill authorizes annual appropriations for grants totaling up to $500 million. The House bill caps grants at $100 million annually beginning in FY2004 and ending in 2008. The House bill adds a section addressing wireless E911 implementation by certain rural carriers. Both bills were reported out of committee and placed on the calendars for floor action. On November 4, 2003 the House approved an amended version of H.R. 2898. The bill is awaiting action by the Senate. Observers report that the difference in funding that would be authorized by the bills is the primary obstacle to passage. Other legislation regarding call centers includes companion bills (S. 1630, Senator Clinton and H.R. 3111, Representative Burr), that would facilitate the availability of 211 call centers that support community needs for information and referral, and a bill that would direct the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to put in place an emergency alert system built around the capabilities of private-sector call centers (H.R. 2250, Representative Meek of Florida). The performance of 911 call centers on September 11, 2001 was criticized in The 9/11 Commission Report, with a recommendation that the role of call centers be incorporated in planning for emergency response (p 318). This report will be updated to follow legislative activity related to the two 911 call center bills.