Emergency Notification Systems

This section of our technical library presents articles written about Emergency Alert Systems and Disaster Recovery definitions, terms and related information.

The 911Broadcast emergency notification and alert service can deliver a large number of phone calls using a network of phone systems employing digital phone lines simultaneously. Should a disaster such as a snow storm, wild fire or flood hit your area, 911Broadcast systems can alert your community quickly providing specific instructions if an evacuation is required.

This service is available using our emergency broadcasting systems. If a dangerous chemical spill occurs in your community, you can target specific areas to call. If a severe snow storm hits your area, your community can be notified of school closings or event cancellations.

from: www.911dispatch.com - please visit this website for more 911 and emergency related articles and information.

If you don't think the issue of wireless E911 is complicated--just examine this diagram! It shows each of the stakeholders in wireless 911, and the lines of communications or contact. The major links are shown with a bold line. The public, as expected, is in the middle of the diagram. From the diagram, it's obvious that the public safety organizations and the FCC are the major operators in this issue, while some--including ITS groups and the uninitialized phone marketers--are only loosely connected to the collection.

The entire issue of wireless E911 arose when public safety agencies began to realize that wireless calls to 911 would not display ANI/ALI information for the caller. That issue was helped along by an FCC decision to require wireless carriers to transmit a caller's telephone number, and to display their location. At the time, it seemed the issue was resolved.

But along the way, all sorts of other agencies, companies, groups and points of view popped up--as the diagram reveals. Each has their own agenda and lines of communications as detailed above.

Here's the run-down on each constituent, what services they normally offer, and their agenda in relation to wireless E911. In this case, "agenda" is not a negative term--it simply indicates the goals or purposes of the group or company in relation to wireless E911. Note that the "ultimate" agenda of most for-profit companies is money ($$$), but that many also have regulatory or other goals that we've listed. Also recognize that most for-profit companies are managed by people who genuinely believe in providing for the public safety, and who are not driven solely by profit.

• U.S. Congress -- This group makes the laws and provide the funding that pertains to 911, wireless and radios. Agenda: Keep the public safe.
• FCC -- Writes the rules and regulations that govern telephones, 911 and radio. Agenda: Make sure all the stakeholders work together effectively, keeping the public safe
• FBI -- Enforces most federal laws. Agenda: With court authorization, use Phase II locating features to track criminals who use a wireless phone.
• U.S. Department of Transportation -- Oversees the federal policies and funding for national transportation issues. Agenda: Wants to use any advanced technology, including Phase II, to help keep the nation's highways safe and moving at the speed limit.
• Uninitialized phone marketers -- Sell refurbished or new 911-only phones to the public. Agenda: $$$
• ITS groups -- Perform research and test concepts of intelligent vehicle technology to make the highways safer and more efficient. Agenda: Use Phase II technology to accomplish its missions.
• Public Safety Associations -- Provide national presence for local agencies on all issues of emergency communications. Agenda: Ensure that Phase I and II features are funded and implemented in a way that's beneficial to comm centers and the public.
• Local, county and state comm centers -- Provide emergency and non-emergency response services for law enforcement, fire and EMS. Agenda: Implement Phase I and II features promptly, at the least cost, and with the greatest benefit to the public.
• Local politicians -- Makes laws and provides funding for local programs. Agenda: Keep their voters safe.
• Wireline carriers -- Provide dial-tone and long distance services to customers. Agenda: Provide equipment and services to support 911 systems.
• Public safety equipment manufacturers -- Provide software and hardware for CAD, computerized telephony, logging recorders, mapping and computerized information management systems. Agenda: Interface their products with wireline and wireless technology, thereby creating an attractive product they can sell to comm centers
• Wireless handset manufacturers -- Design and manufacture wireless telephone handsets. Agenda: Promptly adopt a Phase II technology solution, and create an attractive, inexpensive and effective handset that is popular with the public.
• Wireless carriers -- Provides services and equipment for making wireless telephone calls. Agenda: Comply with the FCC's technology and deadline requirements for Phase I and II; create revenue opportunities from location technologies.
• Location technology companies -- Designs, builds and implements methods of locating wireless telephone callers for public safety and commercial purposes. Agenda: $$$
• Telematics companies -- Provides services and hardware for in-vehicle voice and data communications. Agenda: $$$
• Privacy advocates -- Serves as the voice of the public in matters of maintaining personal privacy. Agenda: Ensure that information obtained by telematics or other locating systems is used only for its intended purpose, and to ensure there are proper safeguards on information requested or obtained by law enforcement (the FBI).