Mike Banks
Committee Chair
Joined: 06 Mar 2007
Posts: 9
Location: Wadsworth, OH
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 Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 10:17 am Post subject: Congress Endorses "National 9-1-1 Education Month" |
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Washington, D.C., -- The U.S. House of Representatives today by a vote of 381-0 passed H. Res. 537
recognizing the importance of 9-1-1 education and directing the Administration to establish a National 9-1-1
Education Month. The resolution, sponsored by Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Anna
Eshoo (D-CA) and John Shimkus (R-IL) and 56 House co-sponsors, puts Congress behind a national effort
by seven national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety.
The seven organizations that have joined together to advance 9-1-1 education are:
• the E9-1-1 Institute;
• the National Emergency Number Association (NENA);
• 9-1-1 For Kids®;
• the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA);
• the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO);
• CTIA – The Wireless Association®; and
• COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance.
Each of the groups recently adopted similar resolutions establishing April as National 9-1-1 Education
Month. They are calling upon public safety officials, schools, government officials, and industry leaders to
engage in a national effort to educate children, seniors, and the general public about the importance of, and
appropriate use of, 9-1-1. During the month of April, these organizations will conduct special outreach to
build on existing state and local 9-1-1 education efforts in an attempt to raise the issue of 9-1-1 education to
a national level. The groups praised the efforts of Representative Eshoo and Representative Shimkus for
their consistent bi-partisan leadership in passing the resolution.
"9-1-1 is a life-saving service that everyone should know how to use, especially children and senior
citizens," said Eshoo. She added: "I'm very proud to have these dedicated national organizations join with
me to expand 9-1-1 education for all Americans."
"While most people know to call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation,” said Shimkus, “not everyone is aware of
the limitations of the system given the expanding variety of wireless devices we all use and the variations in
service by location. Ensuring that 9-1-1 callers know when and how to use the 9-1-1 system must be a
priority.”
“We can never do enough to educate the public about 9-1-1. The commitment of this impressive coalition of
public safety and industry to dedicate time and effort to advance 9-1-1 education will help save lives and will
produce a significant return on whatever effort is made,” said Gregory L. Rohde, Executive Director of the
E9-1-1 Institute. He said that “in addition to school-based activities, there could be conferences and training
events for parents, teachers, care-givers that bring together the public safety community and industry
leaders in a common effort.”
"In today’s ever changing communications landscape, we cannot underestimate the importance of better
educating the public and managing public expectations about the ever evolving 9-1-1 system. We are
pleased to join all of these groups in support of this important resolution to promote much needed increased
9-1-1 education efforts," said NENA President Jason Barbour, ENP.
"We are chartered to educate children on how to summon Public Safety services. This month will
underscore that need and highlight the activities to accomplish that end. It will also emphasize the overall
effort to educate our entire Nation in this vital task, properly calling 911. We are pleased and honored to be
a part of this undertaking," said Elise Kim, the Executive Director of 911 for Kids.
“NASNA looks forward to working with our communities in each of the states to develop the materials and
presentations that will be useful. This is part of our mission,” said Richard Taylor, President of NASNA.
“APCO members are on the front lines of emergency calls every day,” said Willis Carter, APCO President.
“Our nation’s 9-1-1 telecommunicators are challenged daily and an educated 9-1-1 calling public makes
their job easier and ensures positive outcomes for all parties involved. We think this is a tremendous idea
and we are very pleased to be a part of it.”
“The commercial wireless industry plays a uniquely important role in transmitting emergency calls, and
helping public safety locate people needing help,” said CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent, “We
support the effort to educate Americans about the value of 9-1-1 service and look forward to continuing our
collaborative efforts with the numerous dedicated organizations in the public safety community.”
”Modernizing 9-1-1 is the key to an overall informed emergency system,” said David Aylward, Director of
COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance, whose 100 organizational members advocate for advanced
response using the latest technologies and procedures. “With advanced communications technologies and
a changing landscape for the 9-1-1 system come a need for increased education,” added Aylward.
About the E9-1-1 Institute. The E9-1-1 Institute, www.e911institute.org, is a not-for-profit organization,
which provides administrative and policy support to the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus. The purpose of the
E9-1-1 Institute is to promote pubic education and awareness of E9-1-1 and emergency communications
issues and serve the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus as a clearinghouse of information on E9-1-1 and
emergency communications issues. Gregory L. Rohde, former Administrator of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, serves as the E9-1-1 Institute’s Executive Director.
About NENA. NENA is The Voice of 9-1-1™. NENA promotes implementation and awareness of 9-1-1 as
North America’s universal emergency number. NENA is the leading professional non-profit organization
dedicated solely to 9-1-1 emergency communications issues. NENA serves its nearly 7,000 members in 48
chapters across the U.S., Canada and Mexico through policy advocacy, establishment of technical and
operational standards, certification programs and a broad spectrum of educational offerings. Find out more
at www.nena.org.
About APCO. The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International
is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety
communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by
creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing
education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the
world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
About NASNA. NASNA, the National Association of State Nine One One (9-1-1) Administrators,
www.nasna911.org, is a not-for-profit organization, representing those states with a central 9-1-1 planning
or administrative authority. NASNA serves its membership through the sharing of technical, operational and
legislative information and assists in the coordination of implementing of 911 emergency systems.
About CTIA. CTIA-The Wireless Association®, is an international nonprofit membership organization
founded in 1984, representing all sectors of wireless communications – cellular, personal communication
services and enhanced specialized mobile radio.
As an organization, we represent service providers, manufacturers, wireless data and internet companies,
as well as other contributors to the wireless universe. CTIA advocates on their behalf before the Executive
Branch, the Federal Communications Commission, Congress, and state regulatory and legislative bodies.
For more information see www.ctia.org.
About 9-1-1 For Kids. 9-1-1 for Kids® is the official caller training education program for the United States,
Canada and the Cayman Islands, all countries which use 9-1-1 as its universal emergency number. The
program teaches students how to save lives & property and respond to disaster situations through the
proper use of 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 foe Kids programs implemented by local, federal and international public
safety: dispatch centers, agencies and organizations throughout schools, youth organizations & activities
and community events. The organization is endorsed and supported by: APCO, NENA and NASNA. Find
out more at www.911forkids.com.
About COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance. COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance is a
national non-profit alliance dedicated to advancing emergency response. We promote the adoption of
modern, interoperable emergency information systems and the development of new procedures, training,
and tools to maximize their value for emergency responders. We encourage cooperation across
professional, jurisdictional and geographic lines, seeking to improve effectiveness through solutions that
integrate emergency response professions, government, and the public and private industry. COMCARE’s
100+ organizational members represent the wide diversity of the emergency response community. Find out
more at www.comcare.org.
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