By Brian Fontes, CEO, the National Emergency Number Association
Imagine this: A paramedic crew receives a 911 call about a car accident on a remote highway. As they rush to the scene, they face limited information and must rely on traditional methods to locate the accident and understand the situation. Any time lost or inaccurate information could be fatal.
Now, picture a different scenario in which the crew receives detailed location data, real-time video footage of the accident scene, and instant updates on the victims’ medical histories. The crew can receive a standardized information set with crash information directly from the vehicle itself. This is the transformative potential of Next Generation 911 (NG911) for EMS professionals.
Breaking down 911 barriers
NG911 is a set of standards and technologies that bring emergency communications into the digital age. Unlike legacy 911, which is based only on voice calls, limited text support and a few extrapolated data points, NG911 allows for the robust sharing of data, images, videos and more accurate location information to 911 centers. It is designed to integrate with other public safety systems, enhancing situational awareness and ensuring continuous service during disasters such as outages, hurricanes or cyberattacks.
For example, NG911’s advanced location technologies make it much easier to locate callers, whether they are in remote areas or urban high-rises, ensuring that help arrives faster. This is particularly crucial in life-threatening situations where every second counts.
Another significant feature is the ability of 911 centers to receive pre-configured medical information from callers, such as allergies, pre-existing conditions or medications. This enables paramedics to be better prepared and provide more tailored care upon arrival.
Another capability that is impossible with legacy 911 is video calling and multimedia messaging, from callers, to 911 centers, to field responders. That visual information can enable EMS professionals to assess the severity of incidents, the condition of patients and any hazards before they arrive on the scene.
NG911 is also interoperable across various agencies and jurisdictions, which is helpful during outages or large-scale emergencies, when coordinated efforts are necessary. Additionally, NG911 better serves individuals with disabilities, who can send texts to 911; and non-English speakers, who can benefit from being more quickly connected with a translator or a speaker of their preferred language. NG911 thus breaks down longstanding barriers, ensuring that everyone can effectively reach emergency services, regardless of their circumstances or location.
The transition to next-gen 911
But like all major infrastructural projects, the transition to NG911 will require significant investment and political leadership to get it done. In Washington, Congress is considering legislation that would provide a one-time infusion of funding for nationwide NG911 implementation. The House version of the bill (H.R. 3565) would allocate $14.8 billion from future spectrum auction revenues and has bipartisan support. The Senate proposal (S. 4207) offers only $2 billion, which falls remarkably short of the $9.5 to $12.7 billion a 2018 congressionally mandated cost study estimated would be needed to enable next-gen 911.
Get involved in bringing NG911 to your community
For years, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) has worked with our own local members in emergency call centers across the country, as well as dozens of companies and associations, to advocate for nationwide implementation of NG911. To reach its full potential, NG911 must be adopted nationwide, and not just in fortunate individual jurisdictions from state to state. A fragmented approach is already creating a divide between NG911 “haves” and “have nots.” This disparity is particularly concerning for rural, low-income, minority and tribal communities, which often face greater risks and challenges. Uniform adoption is crucial for equitable access to life-saving technology.
| More: Serving the vulnerable with proactive, rather than reactive care
We would welcome support from more EMS professionals. The potential benefits extend beyond individual cases, impacting the overall safety and well-being of the communities we serve. By supporting legislation that funds NG911 and promoting its adoption, we can ensure that emergency services are equipped to meet the demands of all Americans in the digital age, making our communities safer and more resilient.
In the end, NG911 is not just about upgrading technology; it’s about transforming how we respond to emergencies and, ultimately, how we save lives.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Brian Fontes is CEO of the National Emergency Number Association, which represents an estimated 100,000 911 public safety telecommunicators, supervisors and directors across North America.