Press Release: States and US. Territories Receive $40 Million in Grants to Improve 911 Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  September 28, 2009
NHTSA contact: Pat Swift-Oladeinde, 202-366-9550
Commerce contact: Shannon Gilson, 202-482-4883

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced more than $40 million in grants to 30 states and U.S. territories to help 911 call centers across the country improve the ability to locate people calling from wireless and Internet-connected telephones.

“Reaching a 911 operator can make the difference between life and death,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said.  “These grants will give states and territories the opportunity to improve their 911 systems, enhance safety and help save countless lives across America.”

“A majority of emergency 9-1-1 calls are now coming from wireless and Internet-connected telephones,” said U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke. “These grants will help first responders locate where these calls are made and to ensure that help arrives quickly.”

The E–911 grant program was authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942).  The grants were available to all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network. To qualify for a grant, an applicant must submit a State 911 plan and project budget, designate an E–911 coordinator, and certify, among other things, that the State and other taxing jurisdictions within the State have not diverted E–911 charges for any other purpose within 180 days preceding the application date.

The funds could be used to implement advanced technologies to deliver 9-1-1 calls with automatic crash location information as well as evacuation alerts to people using wireless services, warning them of dangerous situations like a bridge being washed out or a toxic spill.

All states and territories did not apply for funding. Following is a list of grant awards by state and U.S. territory:

Grant awards by states:

# # #