Next Generation 911

For more than 50 years, 9-1-1 systems have served the needs of the public in emergencies. As communication technologies have evolved to include wireless phones, text and picture messaging, video chat, social media, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) devices, the public expects that 9-1-1 services will also be able to accept information from these communication methods. While efforts are underway across the nation to enable call centers to accept text messages, the future success of 9-1-1 in serving the public's needs will only be possible when Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) have transitioned to an Internet Protocol (IP)-based 9-1-1 system, commonly referred to as Next Generation 9-1-1 or NG9-1-1.

NG9-1-1 will enhance emergency number services by creating a faster, more resilient system that allows digital information (e.g., voice, photos, videos, text messages) to flow seamlessly from the public, through the 9-1-1 network and eventually, directly to first responders. It will also enable 9-1-1 call centers to transfer 9-1-1 calls to other call centers, and help them deal with call overload, disasters, and day-to-day transfer of 9-1-1 calls to other jurisdictions.

Grant Program Background

As authorized by the Middle Class Tax Relief and Job Creation Act of 2012 (Act), NTIA and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration within the U.S. Department of Transportation awarded $109,250,000 of funding for a grant program to upgrade public safety answering points (PSAPs) to NG9-1-1 capabilities.