National Public Safety Organizations and Wireless Industry Respond to FCC Report on 9-1-1 Fund Diversion

Finds seven states collected 9-1-1 fees from consumers but used the funds to support other programs

WASHINGTON, Nov. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, national organizations representing the public safety and wireless industries released the following statements in response to the Federal Communications Commission's (FCC) 3rd Annual Report to Congress on State Collection and Distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 Fees and Charges:

From CTIA-The Wireless Association's Vice President of External and State Affairs Jamie Hastings: 
"Every day, 396,000 9-1-1 calls are made on wireless devices. With almost 30 percent of wireless-only Americans, mobile consumers pay more than $2 billion a year for their states' 9-1-1 funds to ensure our nation's first responders are properly equipped to handle wireless distress calls. Wireless carriers are required to provide truthful descriptions of the line items on their customers' bills; state governments should be held to the same standard.

"Even though the number of states that are poaching from the 9-1-1 funds has declined, it is gravely disappointing to see states blatantly ignore what is best for their citizens and first responders. CTIA and the wireless industry remain ardent supporters of the public safety community and are committed to working with Congress and the FCC to stop states from misappropriating these funds."

From National Emergency Number Association President Rick Galway, ENP:
"Lives are saved every day thanks to America's 9-1-1 system. Decades of government leadership and steady technological progress have given citizens a reliable 9-1-1 system they can trust. In return, citizens trust their state and local governments to responsibly manage the funds collected to pay for 9-1-1 systems. Misuse of 9-1-1 funds not only puts one of the nation's most critical systems at risk; it also breaks the trust established with the public.

"Unfortunately, some state and local governments continue to see 9-1-1 revenues as a funding source for other programs. Funds the public remits in good faith specifically for 9-1-1 purposes must be used to further 9-1-1's most basic purpose: to ensure that 9-1-1 callers can quickly be located in emergency situations and receive an effective emergency response. NENA encourages Congress, the FCC, and leaders in all fifty states to take action to end the practice of redirecting 9-1-1 fee revenues and ensure 9-1-1 systems have the funding necessary for the technological upgrades necessary to keep pace with consumer expectations and enable the seamless sharing of voice, text, video, and other data between citizens, 9-1-1 centers, and first responders."

From iCERT-The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies' Executive Director George Rice: 
"Our nation's 9-1-1 professionals make technology investment decisions every day. The resources available to them sit as a guide for these decisions as they look to improve their systems and ensure effective deployment of emergency services.

"Assurance of funding for 9-1-1 services and necessary enhancements is a critical component for planning at the agency and jurisdiction levels. When these funds are diverted, planning becomes far more reactionary and less strategic, thus diminishing the effectiveness of our nationwide emergency response infrastructure.

"The Industry Council stands fast with our state and local government partners, and with allied associations, in our collective efforts to garner and safeguard the resources required to deliver emergency services to those in need."

From APCO International President Gregg Riddle:
"APCO International strongly believes that raiding 9-1-1 fees jeopardizes public safety's ability to acquire and implement existing, as well as new and emerging, technologies necessary to continue receiving and responding to emergency situations and providing essential emergency services to citizens. 

"We must ensure that public safety has the funds it needs not only to answer 9-1-1 calls, but to take action and dispatch emergency services to calls for help in critical situations. We recognize the fact that many States and local communities are facing tough economic times and large budget deficits, but we caution that this is not a reason to be penny wise and pound foolish by depleting funds that are essential to 9-1-1 and emergency communications operations."

About CTIA-The Wireless Association
CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry's voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry's leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, D.C.

About the National Emergency Number Association
NENA serves the public safety community as the only professional organization solely focused on 9-1-1 policy, technology, operations, and education issues. With more than 7,000 members in 48 chapters across North America and around the globe, 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, like-minded public safety associations, 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 industry leading standards, training, and certifications. Find out more at www.nena.org.

About the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT)
The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) represents the voice of the commercial sector in the emergency communications field.  Established by a group of prominent leaders in December 2005 originally as the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance, iCERT - the Industry Council - plays an important role as the voice of companies on public policy issues impacting 9-1-1 and the emergency response system.  Industry Council members believe that business leaders' expertise can assist public policymakers and government emergency communications professionals as they address complex choices regarding advanced communications technology alternatives in the years ahead.  Through advocacy, research and in coordination with the public sector, the Industry Council plays a vital role in the development and deployment of emergency response technologies. Find out more at www.theindustrycouncil.org.    

About APCO
APCO International is the world's largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide—and the welfare of the general public as a whole—by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.

SOURCE CTIA-The Wireless Association