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NENAs Next Generation Partner Program (NGPP) is a collaborative effort between public and private stakeholders. It was created to anticipate the impact of emerging technologies on 9-1-1 services and provide an expert forum to support resolution of basic issues that, if unresolved, would block progress toward NG9-1-1(?). The ultimate goal of NENAs Next Generation Partner Program is to ensure that everyone has access to emergency services anytime, anywhere, from any device.
The Next Generation Partner Program management team provides strategic oversight for the program. The team establishes goals, timelines and the general process for reaching consensus and recommendations. It consists of senior executives from the participating partners along with top elected leadership and key staff support from NENA.
NENAs NGPP continues to provide valuable support to efforts to develop NG9-1-1 systems. Now with nearly 50 members representing service providers, vendors, allied public safety associations, and several 9-1-1 Authorities and state 9-1-1 offices, the programs goal is to accelerate the implementation of NG9-1-1 systems.
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Many states and local 9-1-1 authorities continue to examine the feasibility of migration to an IP-based NG9-1-1 system. A growing number of national initiatives have focused on NG9-1-1 implementation, including NENA NG9-1-1 Project and Committee work, the USDOT NG9-1-1 Initiative, the 9-1-1 Resource Center of the National 9-1-1 Program, and a variety of standards efforts. It is extremely important that stakeholders like those represented by the Partner Program have an opportunity to help shape the success of these efforts. That is a major reason why the Partner Program exists.
Numerous action items and recommendations from organized NGPP meetings have been incorporated into a broad spectrum of NENA technical, operations, and policy groups, and other industry and governmental efforts. While NGPP products (including reports, policy briefs and annual summary reports) document many remaining questions and challenges related to NG9-1-1, the overall knowledge base and appreciation of the importance of the issue continues to rapidly expand. In addition to increased awareness of NG9-1-1, more specificity and detail around a multitude of technical, operations and policy issues are being developed as part of NENA’s detailed NG9-1-1 project plan.
The focus of the NGPP in the past year was to examine a number of policy issues that impact the ability to accomplish NG9-1-1, and the development of a policy checklist to be used by states and 9-1-1 Authorities as they transition to NG9-1-1. Included were issues concerning state level 9-1-1 leadership and coordination; funding; establishing state-wide Emergency Services IP Networks (ESInets); how to address transitional regulatory/legislative/tariff modifications; liability; and confidentiality.
NENA will continue to work on policy issues. Tackling the critical institutional, policy and regulatory transition challenges will continue to be the focus of the Partner Program this coming year. The agenda for the next year will be built around the various policy initiatives and regulatory/legislative requirements for accelerated implementation. The NGPP also plans to support NENAs Industry Collaboration Events (ICE) program for companies to test their products and services in a laboratory environment. Please refer to the NENA web site for a description of the ICE program, including a schedule of upcoming events.
If you wish to become a member of the Next Generation Partner Program, please complete the Sign-Up Form and send to NENA Headquarters. If you have any questions about the Program, please contact Dr. Robert Cobb at [email protected] or at 614.846.2911.
