Issue link: http://lawandordermag.epubxp.com/i/60964
EMERGENCY RESPONSE NENA's Interoperability Testing Event. Photo courtesy of NENA. National Emergency Number Association (NENA) www.nena.org NENA serves the public safety community as the only pro- fessional organization solely focused on 9-1-1 policy, technol- ogy, operations and education issues. With more than 7,000 members in 48 chapters across North America and around the world, NENA promotes the implementation and awareness of 9-1-1 and international three-digit emergency communications systems. NENA works with public policy leaders, emergency services and telecommunications industry partners, public safety asso- ciations, and other stakeholder groups to develop and carry out critical programs and initiatives; to facilitate the creation of an IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 system; and to establish indus- try leading standards, training, and certifications. NENA acts as the standards organization for NG9-1-1 to work with all service providers who can generate a 9-1-1 call to develop information and guidelines for those who want to implement it. With the new wireless and IP-based communication devices allowing text and video messaging capabilities, the current 9-1-1 system cannot receive calls and data from these technologies. NENA identified the need for a 9-1-1 overhaul in 2000, pub- lished the Future Path Plan in 2001, and began development activities toward this end in 2003. According to Roger Hixson, NENA Technical Issues Direc- tor, NENA expanded beyond the basic architecture to transi- tion from E9-1-1 to NG9-1-1 and what that transitional network looks like. "It's a technical and operational transition, not just for PSAPs; it supports many others," Hixson stated. Various com- panies are now using standard NG9-1-1 to figure out how to interact with the call-taker and the PSAP. NG9-1-1 is more flex- ible, more capable compared to E9-1-1. In the 1970s, E9-1-1 was voice-only because cellular and VoIP didn't exist yet; everything was wire lined back then. Hixson said legal and federal regulations and legislation, as well as certain specifications or types of technology of today versus an old-school approach come into play when implement- ing NG9-1-1. "NENA is not just a public safety organization; it brings the 9-1-1 industry together," Hixson noted. NG9-1-1 is a system comprised of Emergency Services IP net- works (ESInets), IP-based Software Services and Applications, Databases and Data Management processes that are intercon- nected to PSAP premise equipment. The system provides lo- cation-based routing to the appropriate emergency entity. The system uses additionally available data elements and business policies to augment PSAP routing. The system delivers geodetic and/or civic location information and the call back number. The system supports the transfer of calls to other NG9-1-1 capable PSAPs or other authorized entities based on and in- cluding accumulated data. NG9-1-1 provides standardized interfaces for call and message services, processes all types of emergency calls including non-voice (multimedia) messages, acquires and integrates additional data useful to call routing and handling for appropriate emergency entities. NG9-1-1 sup- ports all E9-1-1 features and functions and meets current and emerging needs for emergency communication from caller to public safety entities. NG Partner Program The NG9-1-1 Project Lead Team, led by Roger Hixson, pro- vides overall project activity identification, prioritization and management. Currently, NENA is expecting that most NENA Requirements, Standards and Information documents for NG9-1-1 will be completed by Fourth Quarter 2012. It is essential that all standard features of E9-1-1 are main- tained during the changeover to a new base technology (IP) using entirely different software and database control mecha- nisms to perform 9-1-1 system capabilities and features, both for the callers and PSAPs. This applies to seldom used but critical features for dealing automatically with real-time call routing and delivery problems, or troubleshooting call and data issues. All current originating service types must continue to be sup- ported seamlessly, with no service dropout during the transi- tion from E9-1-1 to NG9-1-1. E9-1-1 supports voice calling for wireline, cellular and VoIP service providers. There are current and future needs for dif- ferent and new calling technologies, including non-voice mes- saging of various types, devices generating data-only messages (such as sensors), photo and video transmission, and unknown future services. A primary objective was to establish a common IP-based interface that developers can design to as they develop new services, so 9-1-1 can be planned for and then connected to quickly as 9-1-1 call and message generating services are intro- duced to the public. These range from the ability to transfer calls, messages, and data between any PSAPs on any interconnected NG9-1-1 sys- tem anywhere in the country (and beyond), ability to directly activate alternate routing much more quickly, to controlling data flow and delivery. The PSAP will be able to access a wide range of supportive databases and share new and more robust forms of data to facilitate call processing, emergency response and comprehensive incident management. Basic tools to sup- port disaster-related 9-1-1 call control and to handle non-voice call types are also involved. www.lawandordermag.com 17