Next-generation 911 technology requires new money and policies

The Washington Office of Unified Communications fields 4,000 emergency calls a day, but not a single text message makes its way to 911 dispatchers. At least not yet.

Emergency officials, government regulators, and lawmakers are seeking to change that by pushing forward with next-generation 911 technology, which could allow people to send text, photos, video, and other types of data in case of an emergency.

According to the Pew Research Center, the average American sends more than 41 text messages per day, while making about 12 voice phone calls. Emergency call centers need to take that into account, said Brian Fontes, CEO of the National Emergency Number Association, which represents a range of companies and government agencies.

"People expect to be able to communicate with their smart phones," said Fontes, who joined Reps. Anna Eshoo, D-Calif., and John Shimkus, R-Ill., when they toured D.C.'s central dispatch center on Friday.

The lawmakers are promoting their Next Generation 911 Advancement Act, which would allocate $250 million in competitive grants to help state and local governments transition to new 911 systems.

"Through the competitive grants created by our bipartisan legislation, the future can include not only location services, but text messaging, picture messaging, and even video sent straight to dispatchers to aid in response," Shimkus said.

Eshoo, an influential voice on telecom issues in the House, said she expects the funding bill to be folded into broader spectrum legislation.

After the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, many federal grants helped emergency communications systems become more interoperable, but none helped the D.C. center upgrade to next-generation technology, said Teddy Kavaleri, chief information technology officer for the D.C. Office of Unified Communications.

While money is vital to allow new systems to move forward, updated standards and possibly mandates are needed to get all jurisdictions and wireless phone carriers on board, he said.

For example, current text messages and other data aren't embedded with location information in the same way voice calls are. This means that such messages cannot be directed to the correct 911 call center, Kavaleri said. That's an issue that must be addressed by phone-service providers.

For their part, governments at all levels must eventually also adopt the new technology. Without standards, Kavaleri said it is difficult for agencies to even know how much money they will need to spend. Current estimates are between $2 million and $4 million for the D.C. office, he said.

The Federal Communications Commission has launched a rule-making proceeding to examine possible technical standards for wireless carriers, as well as government agencies.

"It's hard to imagine that airlines can send text messages if your flight is delayed, but you can't send a text message to 911 in an emergency," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a speech in August.