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Policy BriefUrge your Members of Congress to support legislation to provide funding for the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and for other purposes. Introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the previous Congress, the legislation would provide for the establishment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and would vastly improve interoperability with regards to all emergency communication systems. The bill would also establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 cybersecurity center to coordinate with state, local and regional governments to detect and prevent cybersecurity intrusions related to Next Generation 9-1-1.Support the Deployment of Next Generation 911 Bill
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Document
Support the Deployment of Next Generation 911 Bill
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your Members of Congress to support legislation to provide funding for the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and for other purposes. Introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the previous Congress, the legislation would provide for the establishment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and would vastly improve interoperability with regards to all emergency communication systems. The bill would also establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 cybersecurity center to coordinate with state, local and regional governments to detect and prevent cybersecurity intrusions related to Next Generation 9-1-1.
BACKGROUND:
Upgrades to our nation's emergency communications systems are urgently needed to move our 9-1-1 call centers and data center technology into the digital age. Most of the nation's 9-1-1 systems were originally created using analog technology, and a modernization effort is needed to both recognize and improve the work of our emergency personnel in providing critical services to our communities.
The transformation of our nation's emergency communications systems to a digital or Internet Protocol (IP)-based 9-1-1 system, commonly referred to as Next Generation 9-1-1, will improve emergency services delivery in several ways. For example, the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 will enhance emergency number services to create a faster, more resilient system that allows voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public to the 9-1-1 network.
Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation would ensure the following principles are met:
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Ensure interoperability, reliability, resiliency and the use of commonly accepted standards
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Incorporate cybersecurity tools, including intrusion detection and prevention measures
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Enable emergency communications centers to process, analyze, and store multimedia, data, and other information
KEY TALKING POINTS:
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The time is now to upgrade our nation's emergency communications systems and empower both state and local governments with the tools to update our emergency response networks and improve services to communities.
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Interoperability is the key to the future of our telecommunications and technology infrastructure, and Next Generation 9-1-1 is our first step in ensuring the nation's emergency communications system does not fall behind.
Urge your Members of Congress to support legislation to provide funding for the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and for other purposes. Introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the previous Congress, the legislation would provide for the establishment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and would vastly improve interoperability with regards to all emergency communication systems. The bill would also establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 cybersecurity center to coordinate with state, local and regional governments to detect and prevent cybersecurity intrusions related to Next Generation 9-1-1.2023-01-31Policy Brief2023-01-31 -
ACTION NEEDED:
Urge your Members of Congress to support legislation to provide funding for the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and for other purposes. Introduced by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) in the previous Congress, the legislation would provide for the establishment of Next Generation 9-1-1 and would vastly improve interoperability with regards to all emergency communication systems. The bill would also establish a Next Generation 9-1-1 cybersecurity center to coordinate with state, local and regional governments to detect and prevent cybersecurity intrusions related to Next Generation 9-1-1.
BACKGROUND:
Upgrades to our nation's emergency communications systems are urgently needed to move our 9-1-1 call centers and data center technology into the digital age. Most of the nation's 9-1-1 systems were originally created using analog technology, and a modernization effort is needed to both recognize and improve the work of our emergency personnel in providing critical services to our communities.
The transformation of our nation's emergency communications systems to a digital or Internet Protocol (IP)-based 9-1-1 system, commonly referred to as Next Generation 9-1-1, will improve emergency services delivery in several ways. For example, the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 will enhance emergency number services to create a faster, more resilient system that allows voice, photos, videos and text messages to flow seamlessly from the public to the 9-1-1 network.
Implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1 legislation would ensure the following principles are met:
-
Ensure interoperability, reliability, resiliency and the use of commonly accepted standards
-
Incorporate cybersecurity tools, including intrusion detection and prevention measures
-
Enable emergency communications centers to process, analyze, and store multimedia, data, and other information
KEY TALKING POINTS:
-
The time is now to upgrade our nation's emergency communications systems and empower both state and local governments with the tools to update our emergency response networks and improve services to communities.
-
Interoperability is the key to the future of our telecommunications and technology infrastructure, and Next Generation 9-1-1 is our first step in ensuring the nation's emergency communications system does not fall behind.

About Seamus Dowdall (Full Bio)
Associate Legislative Director – Telecommunications & Technology
Seamus is the associate legislative director for telecommunications & technology on NACo's government affairs team.More from Seamus Dowdall
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Webinar
Whole-of-State 2.0: A Tale of Two States and Counties
Mar. 9, 2023 , 1:00 pm – 2:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording below. No matter where you are in your cybersecurity journey - you've probably heard of Whole-of-State. What does this mean for your jurisdiction? -
Webinar
NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Election Disruptions
Feb. 27, 2023 – Mar. 3, 2023Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy -
Webinar
Executive Perspectives on Preparing for an ERP Replacement Project
Feb. 22, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pmUnable to attend? Watch the recording below. -
County News
‘When we’re not connected, we’re not safe,’ because buildings block radio
In a room packed with about 100 conference attendees, Guilford County, N.C. Commissioner Alan Perdue gave a powerful presentation Saturday morning on the importance of clear communication among emergency responders. -
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Reports & Toolkits
NACo Technology Guide for County Leaders: Workforce
The NACo County Technology Advisory Council, with input from the Tech Xchange and the NACo Workforce Advisory Board, has developed a guide on workforce retention and recruitment for technology workers. This guide provides an overview, along with benefits and questions to consider in the technology recruitment and retention process
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Webinar
NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Internet of Things
June 12, 2023 – June 16, 2023Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy06121:00 pm<p><em>Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy</em></p>
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Webinar
NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Ransomware
September 11, 2023 – September 15, 2023Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy09111:00 pm<p><em>Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy</em></p>
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Webinar
NACo Cyberattack Simulation: Employee Management
December 4, 2023 – December 8, 2023Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy12041:00 pm<p><em>Presented by the NACo County Tech Xchange and Professional Development Academy</em></p>
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Basic page
County Tech Xchange
The NACo County Tech Xchange is an online portal designed to connect county CIOs, IT Directors, CISOs, and other county IT leadership. This portal provides valuable resources in a central location that counties can use to improve their overall technology infrastructure.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent">
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TestIT: How Fast is Your Broadband
NACo has partnered with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and the Rural Community Assistance Partnership (RCAP) to develop a mobile app designed to identify areas with low or no connectivity to help ensure adequate funding for broadband infrastructure is provided across the country.pagepagepage<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out">
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Telecommunications & Technology Steering Committee
All matters pertaining to telecommunications and technology policy, including, but not limited to, the county role as a telecommunications regulator, service provider, and consumer, cable services technology and implementation, information technology development and implementation, information technology innovation, e-governance, and geo-spatial data collection and utilization.pagepagepage<p>All matters pertaining to telecommunications and technology policy, including, but not limited to, the county role as a telecommunications regulator, service provider, and consumer, cable services technology and implementation, info
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Reports & Toolkits
Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BILReports & Toolkitsdocument100710:00 amReports & Toolkits<table border="1" cellpadding="1" cellspacing="1" style="width:100%" summary="call-out transparent jump">
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Contact
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Associate Legislative Director – Telecommunications & Technology(202) 942-4212
Related News
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County News‘When we’re not connected, we’re not safe,’ because buildings block radioFeb. 11, 2023
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County NewsTikTok: It’s hip, it’s fun and it’s a security riskJan. 24, 2023
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BlogData sharing paramount in modern county operationsDec. 16, 2022
Related Resources
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VideoCIO Forum: RISE to the FutureFeb. 10, 2023
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Reports & ToolkitsNACo Technology Guide for County Leaders: WorkforceFeb. 2, 2023
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Policy BriefSupport the Protecting Community Television ActJan. 31, 2023
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24Mar2023Webinar
The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: Breaking Down USDOT’s Electric Vehicle (EV) Discretionary Grant for Counties
Mar. 24, 2023 , 11:00 am – 12:00 pm -
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Mar. 29, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm -
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Apr. 5, 2023 , 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
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Implementing Infrastructure Investments at the County Level: The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (P.L. 117-58)
As intergovernmental partners, counties play a key role in ensuring the successful interpretation and implementation of the BIL
Learn More