What is NG911?
Simply stated, NG911 improves 911 call-handling for both the public and emergency responder through Internet Protocol (IP) based systems.
What benefits can be derived from an NG911 network?
The additional network resilience can further reduce the risk of 911 calls failing to reach the emergency responder. This network can deliver more precise information about the location of the calling party, which can be updated in real-time. Take, for example, a case where a student living on a campus dorm dials 911. Currently, in most locations, the emergency responders would only have access to the physical address from which the call originated. However, in a location where NG911 has been implemented, the responders would be able to determine not only the building, but also the specific dorm room of the student in need.
Additionally, responders can now be contacted from and reply to any device in text and video format, in addition to voice. This would allow witnesses to discreetly and securely contact the authorities in an active shooter situation, for example. Likewise, text and video can more easily accommodate people with special needs.
What’s involved in an NG911 migration?
That depends upon whose perspective the NG911 migration is viewed.
Those responsible for designating the 911 service provider must identify the vendor options available, evaluate each based on a number of criteria, and select the most appropriate choice. Benchmarks such as previous success as a 911 service provider, technological capability (e.g. features/functionality offered now/later), overall network redundancy, and cost should drive this decision.
Cost involves a thorough understanding of what currently exists, which is not as easy as it sounds. Legacy providers have served in this capacity for decades and records are often difficult to locate, posing the most challenge. These records become just as crucial post-NG911 migration, as legacy service elements should be disconnected to eliminate cost. Funding the NG911 migration effort needs equal consideration.
If a PSAP CPE upgrade is introduced, this creates another layer of complexity. Close coordination must exist between the NG911 service provider and the CPE vendor to drive toward the customer’s desired completion date. These vendors must work together so migrations are flawlessly implemented, with safeguards available if unforeseen circumstances surface. Planning meetings and outlining requirements must occur and progress should be tracked. Full disclosure of issues, when they arise, must be shared with the objective to avoid negatively affecting the customer or deployment schedule. A test plan must be formulated and conducted jointly in advance of each scheduled deployment, allowing time to correct errors.
What does the future hold for NG911?