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Public Safety SmartBrief & The NENA Development Conference
Today, NENA is launching a FREE e-mail news service called Public Safety SmartBrief. It will provide a weekly summary of news, trends, & updates on public safety issues – not just 9-1-1, but police, fire, & EMS as well. Public Safety SmartBrief brings you the news that really matters. Knowledgeable editors handpick key articles from hundreds of publications, summarize them, & provide direct links to the original sources. In other words, we do all the research & you get the latest news in your inbox or on your handheld device, absolutely free. Sign up now or read a sample issue.

From both the technical and operations perspectives, attendees of this working conference can expect to roll up their sleeves and lend their expertise to bolster NENA’s current initiatives and identify the emerging topics that will define the association’s path forward in 2012.
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NENA Applauds FCC Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Next Generation 9-1-1
Posted: Sep 23 - 09:33 am
On September 22, NENA praised Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski for the Commission’s adoption of a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) focused on accelerating the development and deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1(?) (NG9-1-1(?)) systems.
Learn more about the NPRM:
- Read the NPRM
- Continue reading the NENA Release
- FCC Release: FCC Adopts NG9-1-1 NPRM & Staff Presents NG9-1-1 Cost Study
- Next Generation 9-1-1 Cost Study
- FCC Chairman: 9-1-1 "a cornerstone of our public safety communications infrastructure."
- Statements from Commissioners Clyburn, McDowell, & Copps
NENA to Co-Host National Workshop on 9-1-1 Overload
Posted: Sep 14 - 04:15 pm
The 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (9IA) will host a national workshop on 9-1-1 overload on October 4-5, 2011, at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, D.C. Public safety decision-makers and government officials are invited to engage in a national dialog on this important problem, which affects people in need of help due to incidents ranging from routine emergencies to major disasters. The workshop will feature prominent speakers, working sessions, and panel discussions intended to drive a national dialog that will help alleviate 9-1-1 overload situations.
NENA Remembers September 11th
Posted: Sep 10 - 12:28 pm
On this 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, NENA mourns the loss of life that day in New York, Arlington, VA, and Stonycreek, PA. We honor the efforts of first responders and citizens alike who participated in the emergency response, allowing so many to return home that night when they themselves would not. Words cannot adequately express the debt of gratitude owed to these heroes who showed the world, in the face of unspeakable horror, the best that America and humanity have to offer. Today, we remember them, the familes they left behind, and all affected by this tragedy.
Rep. Eshoo Calls for Nationwide, Interoperable Communications Network for First Responders
Posted: Sep 7 - 04:50 pm
On September 7, Rep. Anna G. Eshoo (D-Palo Alto), Ranking Member on the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee, joined with public safety officials in calling for bipartisan legislation to create a nationwide, interoperable broadband communications network for first responders. Eshoo released the following statement:
Congratulations to Our Summer 2011 ENPs!
Posted: Sep 6 - 02:18 pm
NENA is proud to recognize the 15 individuals who successfully passed the Spring ENP Exam and are now officially certified Emergency Number Professionals. You can also download a list of all our new ENPs from this testing period.
FCC Announces September Public Safety Showcase
Posted: Sep 1 - 10:56 am
The Federal Communications Commission’s Office of Managing Director and the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau recently announced that during the month of September, the FCC Technology Experience Center will showcase public safety and homeland security technologies in recognition of Emergency Preparedness Month.
The FCC Technology Experience Center (FCC TEC) is an on-site technology lab that provides FCC employees and visitors to FCC headquarters hands-on experience with the latest communications devices and solutions. During the September showcase, a range of state-of-the-art tools available to first responders and homeland security professionals will be exhibited.
NENA Consolidates Ops & Tech Committees into New Structure
Posted: Sep 13 - 02:37 pm
The NENA Executive Board recently approved a reorganization of NENA’s Operations and Technical Committees into a single entity known as the NENA Development Group (NDG), led by the Development Steering Council (DSC). The intent of the reorganization is to create a more interconnected committee structure that better serves the NENA Membership and the emergency services community by addressing operations and technical issues in tandem. The Co-Chairs of the DSC are Pete Eggimann, ENP and Tony Busam, ENP.
Introduction to i3 Webinar - On-Demand Archive Coming Soon!
Posted: Aug 24 - 03:57 pm
NENA and the Next Generation Partner Program would like to thank all who attended the first in a series of webinars on the i3 document that took place on Thursday, August 18. An archived version of this presentation and question and answer session designed to increase your knowledge of i3 and answer some of the "big picture" questions surrounding i3 will be availabe early next week.
Visit the Introduction to i3 page for additional baseline information on the document.
NENA CEO Visits VA & UT PSAPs
Posted: Jul 26 - 09:55 am
Visit the NENA Facebook page to see a few pictures of recent PSAP visits by NENA's CEO, Brian Fontes, and Director of Government Affairs, Trey Forgety.
President Galway's Welcome Message
Posted: Jul 13 - 03:01 pm
Greetings NENA Members!
I am honoured to serve as your President for 2011 – 2012. The coming year will be filled with great opportunities to make significant contributions to public safety, and I look forward to working alongside each of you to achieve our shared goal of advancing 9-1-1 (and all other three-digit emergency telephone numbers) into the next generation.
FEMA & FCC Unveil New Tip Sheet for Consumers on How to Communicate During Disasters
Posted: Sep 23 - 04:09 pm
As part of National Preparedness Month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released new tips for consumers aimed at preparing them for major disasters when communications networks are more likely to be compromised or damaged. Nearly one month ago, a 5.8 magnitude earthquake and Hurricane Irene struck the East Coast. In the minutes and hours that followed, mobile networks experienced significant network congestion, temporarily making it harder for millions of people to reach loved ones and emergency services. This tip sheet aims to help prepare Americans about how to communicate with each other, and loved ones, in the event of another disaster.
National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Public Comment Deadline Approaching
Posted: Sep 19 - 11:29 am
The National 9-1-1 Assessment Guidelines Working Group (NAGWG) requests feedback from 9-1-1 industry stakeholders on proposed guidelines that would serve as the basis for a statewide 9-1-1 program assessment process. All comments are due by Monday, September 26.
Review the Guidelines and provide feedback by way of questions, comments, or suggestions using the comment form found on the 9-1-1 Resource Center webpage and then submit the form via email. All submitted comments will be considered prior to the release of the final guidelines.
USDA Announces Funding to Improve 9-1-1 in Rural America
Posted: Sep 9 - 02:41 pm
On September 9, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced changes in federal regulations that will help rural communities obtain advanced emergency communications services, including 9-1-1 access to better respond to emergencies and disasters. These changes will help rural communities obtain next generation 9-1-1(?) services necessary to maintain the security and safety of rural residents and businesses.
Get Ready for the Nationwide EAS Test
Posted: Sep 6 - 01:54 pm
On November 9, 2011, at 2 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), the FCC and FEMA will conduct the first-ever, nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System (EAS). EAS alerts are transmitted over radio and television broadcast stations, cable television and other media services. The purpose of the November 9th test is to assess the reliability and effectiveness of the system as a way to alert the public during nationwide emergencies. Although FEMA and the FCC are taking steps to ensure that broadcast announcements are made during the test, some people may not see or hear these announcements and, as a result, 9-1-1 Call Centers may receive calls. That is why both agencies are conducting various outreach activities to educate 9-1-1 Call Centers and other public safety agencies about the test. In addition, the FCC has established a website dedicated to the November 9th test which can be found on PSHSB’s website at www.fcc.gov/pshs. Moreover, both agencies plan to work with EAS stakeholders to educate the public in advance of the test.
Free Webinar on Interoperability in an NG9-1-1 World
Posted: Aug 24 - 03:47 pm
Planning is the key first step in implementing an NG9-1-1(?) solution and realizing the improvements that it will bring. Solution planning considerations must include the selection and deployment of a fully NENA compliant Emergency Services IP network (ESInet) and a NENA i3 compliant NG9-1-1 functional and interface architecture (a multimedia capable "call" processing platform), as well as identifying operational changes that are needed for the PSAP to take advantage of the NG9-1-1 data and environment.
Attend this free, one hour webinar presented by Cassidian Communications on Wednesday, September 14 at 1PM Eastern to hear:
- What is important to understand about multimedia enablement in an NG9-1-1 world;
- What you can do to ensure your PSAP is NG9-1-1 ready; and
- How NG9-1-1 implementations will progress now that the NENA i3 standard is approved
FCC Chairman Announces Action Plan to Improve the Deployment of NG9-1-1
Posted: Aug 15 - 03:19 pm
On August 10, FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced his five-step action plan to chart the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1(?) (NG9-1-1(?)) services. Working with the public safety community, carriers, manufacturers and other service providers, Chairman Genachowski’s goal is to ensure that effective emergency response is a critical element of the broadband environment.
Friends meet at NENA2011
Posted: Jun 30 - 09:34 am
National NENA Conference keynote Speaker, Aron Ralston and Tim Webb, Winston County AL 9-1-1 Director.
Aron is the climber who amputated his own arm to save his life while canyoneering in Utah in 2003. Ralston documented the life-altering experience and his remarkable will to survive in his New York Times best-selling book, Between a Rock and a Hard Place.
His story has been adapted into a movie by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. The film, 127 Hours, was nominated for six Oscars, including Best Picture. Thanks to the movie's success, the book returned to the Best Seller's list for another six weeks in 2010-11.
NENA Announces Partnership With Naylor, LLC
Posted: Jun 19 - 05:46 pm
Naylor, LLC, North America's leading media and events partner for associations, is proud to announce a new partnership with NENA. Naylor will bring its expertise in association media to NENA as it publishes their new quarterly magazine. This magazine will provide members with professional, peer-reviewed articles and timely industry news, including updates on technology, operations, training and policy. In addition to print, Naylor and NENA are working to bring this informative resource to life in a fully interactive online version.
NENA Applauds Senate Action on Next Generation 9-1-1
Posted: Jun 8 - 06:30 pm
On June 8, NENA praised Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Ranking Member Kay-Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) for working together to include support for Next Generation 9-1-1(?) (NG9-1-1(?)) in the SPECTRUM Act. “This is a significant step in advancing our nation’s public safety services,” said NENA President, Steve O’Conor, ENP. “We are grateful to Senator Klobuchar for her fierce dedication to improving 9-1-1 systems across the United States, and to Chairman Rockefeller and Senator Hutchison for recognizing the central role of 9-1-1 in an integrated emergency communications environment.”
CRS Issues New Funding Report
Posted: May 27 - 07:00 pm
On May 27, the Congressional Research Service published a report entitled Funding Emergency Communications: Technology and Policy Considerations. Topics covered in the paper include: governance and grants; decision making and planning authority; cost estimates; managing radio frequency spectrum; and Congressional legislation.