911 systemsConnecticut and Kansas implement next-gen 911 system

Connecticut and Kansas are both currently installing the next generation of 911 telephone systems (NG911) in different cycles, but both are seeing the added benefits of the evolved system.

As Government Technology reports, NG911 will allow both states to offer the services of up-to-the-second multimedia information, including cell phone texts and video, as responders rush to an emergency site.

“We have software and equipment that’s 12 years old and hasn’t been supported for a while,” said Stephen Verbil, the telecommunications manager for Connecticut’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, “Next-gen 911 is going to eliminate any boundary issues we had.”

The state’s new system will utilize the preexisting public safety data network — routing information from those servers and fibers to 911 call centers and ultimately to the response teams. Officials are currently wrapping up the testing phase at 10 different Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).

Ultimately, the system will even be able to cull information from on-board vehicle crash notification systems like General Motors’ OnStar.

“While the existing narrowband, circuit-switched 911 network has worked satisfactorily since its inception 30 years ago, it has been stretched to its limit as technology advances,” said Verbil, “About 70 percent of Connecticut’s 911 calls are made from cell phones [and] texting can be a viable option during certain domestic situations or if the user is hearing-impaired.”

In Kansas, the testing has already been completed and the work is underway to implement the system statewide, according to Walter Way, the director of emergency communications for Johnson County, one of the 105 counties that will likely implement the evolution.

Launched in 2012, the program successfully allowed for the transfer of emergency calls and data across phone networks in an organized manner.

“We expect most PSAPs to come on in, as they’re going to have to replace their old equipment,” said Way, “We’re basically building a big phone system, but it’s a secured intranet phone system.”

The state’s NG911 will focus on accuracy, syncing map displays, call routes and verified address to be shared between municipalities. Way speculated that depending on the number of PSAPs that sign on to the new program, the upgrade will cost the state about $12 million to $22 million dollars.

While Connecticut’s plan is to have switched all emergency centers over to the NG911 system by the end of 2016, with wireless operations provided by Frontier Communications, Kansas could start earlier but is currently still searching for the right mobile provider before switching over on a wide scale.

“The plan is ready,” Way summarized, “We need to bring 911 centers up to 21^st-century technology.”

Since 2006, the U.S. Department of Transportation has spearheaded the initiative for NG911, urging other states to update their infrastructures.