TECH UPDATE

NENA 02-013, Version 3, March 18, 2008 is posted to the NENA web site for 15 Business day review and comment. This document provides general system and process requirements for the VDB, ERDB, and 9-1-1 Administrator to maintain the MSAG and the alternate address records required to perform their prescribed functions in the i2 architecture. This document also provides related technical and operational policy information from NENA to facilitate implementation of the i2 architecture.  The document has been updated in Sections 1.4, 2.1 and 99 to reflect use of NENA 57-503, NENA Procedures for Notification of ERDB and VPC Operators of ESN Changes by 9-1-1 Administrator and there is clarification of Footnote 3.
Public review and comment period ends May 2, 2008. Comments shall be directed to techdocreview1@nena.org
Click here for the document.

REGULATORY/LEGISLATIVE UPDATE
NENA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS UPDATE TELECONFERENCE (Open to all NENA members)

NENA Government Affairs Director Patrick Halley will host a public government affairs call on Thursday, May 29, from 3:00 to 3:30 Eastern.  The call-in number is 800-349-9121,
pin# 920720.  The call is open to all NENA members and will highlight key national 9-1-1 issues (Congressional legislation, FCC, other federal government actions) and NENA’s current activities.

CONGRESS   

Congress Passes Farm Bill; Includes 9-1-1 Access Loan Program

After weeks of conference deliberations, last week the Senate and House both passed the final version of the “Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008”, better known as the Farm Bill. The bill includes language in Section 6107 that allows the Rural Utility Service (RUS) within the Department of Agriculture to provide low interest loans to state/local/tribal governments for improving 9-1-1 and emergency communications. The bill now awaits a signature, or more likely, a veto from the President. Even if he does veto the legislation, it looks as if there are plenty of votes in Congress to override a veto.  The provision could help expand 9-1-1 access in rural areas with loans for facilities and equipment.  There is also a section that authorizes a Rural Firefighters and Emergency Medical Service Assistance Program to improve EMS services in rural areas. Before these loans are available, the loan program administrator (RUS) will need to provide guidance. NENA will be working with RUS on this and will provide more information when it is available.       
Click here to review the 9-1-1 provision

Rep. Harman Introduces Legislation to Help Establish a National Wireless Public Safety Broadband Network

Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA) introduced the “Public Safety Broadband Authorization Act of 2008“ last week to authorize a nationwide, public safety broadband licensee (PSBL) and to fund the administrative and management costs of the PSBL to establish an interoperable, public safety broadband network using 700 MHz spectrum. The legislation intends to provide needed dollars and government reforms that are essential to ensure that a second auction of the D block goes smoothly. The bill authorizes $4 million for the FCC to help establish a new interoperable network and would allow the agency to grant some of the dollars to the PSBL to cover administrative and operational costs.
Click here to review the legislation 

Senate Passes Resolution Adopting April as National 9-1-1 Education Month
On April 10, the United States Senate voted to establish April 2008 as National 9-1-1 Education Month. The resolution urges government officials, parents, teachers, school administrators, caregivers, businesses, non-profit organizations, and the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies, training events, and activities. In addition, NENA, APCO, NASNA, COMCARE, the E9-1-1 Institute, 9-1-1 For Kids, and CTIA – the Wireless Association, also adopted similar resolutions.
Click here to review the resolution
Click here for public safety press release
*More information, news and ideas for NATIONAL 9-1-1 EDUCATION MONTH is available at e911institue.org

Senator Clinton Includes Funding For E9-1-1 as One of Only 10 Funding Requests
On April 4, E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chair Senator Hillary Clinton sent a letter to the leadership of the full Appropriations Committee and the Commerce Appropriations Subcommittee requesting E9-1-1 grant funds in the FY 2009 budget. The request for $10 million was one of only 10 appropriations requests submitted by the Senator.
Click here to review the letter  

Senate and House Begin Conference Process on VoIP 9-1-1 Legislation
Senate and House staff have begun informal discussions to bring together S 428 (IP-Enabled Voice Communications and Public Safety Act) and HR 3403 (911 Modernization Act) into a single bill.  The two pieces of legislation are very similar with only a few significant differences, so a final bill to be presented for the President’s signature should emerge in the near future. NENA and APCO have expressed concerns with section 2(e) of the Senate bill which we are seeking to have removed since it unnecessarily restricts FCC authority to require 9-1-1 service of future services.

FCC

FCC Notice Seeks Public Input on Fraudulent 9-1-1 Calls Made From Non-Initialized Wireless Phones
The FCC has granted a Petition for a Notice of Inquiry (NOI) filed by NENA, NASNA, APCO and several state/local 9-1-1 programs seeking solutions to the problems being caused by the increasing number of fraudulent 9-1-1 calls made from wireless non-service initialized (NSI) phones.  Currently, FCC rules require wireless carriers to transmit all wireless 9-1-1 calls, including those made from NSI phones, to PSAPs.  FCC rules do not prevent wireless carriers from blocking harassing calls from NSI phones, but the practice has not often been implemented by wireless carriers due to technical and legal concerns. The NOI offers an opportunity for all NENA members (public and private) to submit information concerning the impact of abusive/fraudulent NSI 9-1-1 calls and to propose solutions to the problem.
Click here to review the Notice of Inquiry
Click here to review the FCC news release
Click here to review the NENA/NASNA/APCO petition for a NOI

FCC Conditionally Designates TracFone Wireless as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) For Lifeline Service in Several States (Requires adherence to applicable 9-1-1 obligations)
While granting ETC status to TracFone Wireless in several states, the Commission found it to be in the public interest to condition TracFone’s designation as an ETC eligible for Lifeline support on TracFone’s certification that it is in full compliance with any applicable 9-1-1/E9-1-1 obligations, including those relating to the provision, and support of, 9-1-1 and E9-1-1 service (such as collection and remittance of applicable 9-1-1 fees).
Click here to review the Order
 

FCC Adopts Rules to Establish National Wireless Commercial Mobile Alert System
On April 9, the FCC adopted rules to support the ability of wireless carriers to transmit alerts, warnings and critical information to the cell phones and other mobile devices of consumers during disasters and emergencies. 
Click here to review the Order
Click here to review the FCC news release

FCC To Host May 19, 2008 Summit On Current State Of Nation's Emergency Alert System And What Is Needed To Transition To More Robust Alert And Warning System
Click here to review the announcement

Comment Periods Established for FCC’s Non-Initialized Handset Notice of Inquiry (NOI)
The FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau has set comment deadlines for responses to the Commission’s Notice of Inquiry (NOI) into the growing number of harassing and fraudulent 9-1-1 calls made from non-service-initialized (NSI) mobile phones. The NOI (Docket 08-51) seeks comment on (1) the nature and extent of fraudulent 9-1-1 calls made from NSI devices; (2) concerns with blocking NSI phones used to make fraudulent 9-1-1 calls, and suggestions for making blocking a more viable option; and (3) other possible solutions to the problem of fraudulent 9-1-1 calls from NSI handsets.  Comments are due June 30 and reply comments are due July 29. It is very important that the FCC hears from NENA members, public and private sector, about the scope of the problem and potential technical or policy solutions.
Click here to view the announcement
Click here to view the full Notice of Inquiry (NOI)

 FCC Seeks Comment on How to Proceed With the Re-auction of the 700 MHz D Block Spectrum and Creation of a Nationwide, Interoperable Public Safety Broadband Network
The FCC unanimously adopted a further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) last week seeking comment on how the Commission should proceed with the re-auction and licensing of the 700 MHz D Block spectrum while maximizing the public safety and commercial benefits of a nationwide, interoperable wireless public safety broadband network. The FCC asks whether it remains in the public interest to retain a public/private partnership between the D Block licensee and the Public Safety Broadband Licensee. It also seeks comment on various potential modifications to the current rules governing the public/private partnership. Comments are also sought on the technical requirements of the shared wireless broadband network.  Also, the FCC asks how the D Block should be auctioned and licensed for commercial use if it were not required to be part of a public/private partnership. The Commission requests input on other ways to facilitate the deployment of a public safety broadband network if it found such a partnership were no longer in the public interest. . 
Click here to review the Notice
Click here for a summary

 HOMELAND SECURITY

Department of Homeland Security Information for PSAPs
PSAPs that have email addresses in the NENA PSAP database will soon receive a weekly Critical Infrastructure Protection INFOGRAM from the DHS Emergency Management and Response - Information Sharing and Analysis Center (EMR-ISAC).  The document contains four very short articles regarding the protection and resilience of the critical infrastructures of the Emergency Services Sector (ESS) including emergency communications. 

 More importantly, these PSAPs will also receive periodic CIP (For Official Use Only) Notices published by the Department of Homeland Security or Federal Government Law Enforcement Agencies  regarding potential threats to and vulnerabilities of the critical infrastructures of emergency departments and agencies.  CIP (FOUO) Notices are sensitive documents only for those who have “the need to know.”

 Please watch for confirmation from DHSInteractive containing your user name (i.e., your electronic address in lower case only) and password.  Call 1-866-916-8306 if you experience any difficulty accessing the CIP (FOUO) Notices. 

FEMA Releases Reference Guide for Accommodating People with Disabilities In Disasters
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has released a new reference guide that outlines existing legal requirements and standards relating to access for people with disabilities. A Reference Guide for Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities in the Provision of Disaster Mass Care, Housing and Human Services is the first of a series of disability-related guidelines to be produced by FEMA for disaster preparedness and response planners and service providers at all levels. Click here for the press release. Click here for the Full Reference Guide
Click here for a summary of 9-1-1 requirements in the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

 NATIONAL NEWS

E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Clinton and Representative Shimkus And FCC Public Safety Bureau Chief Derek Poarch Honor Public Safety Telecommunicators
Click here to review the release

 NENA Expresses Continued Support for National Wireless Public Safety Broadband Network
On April 15, NENA expressed its continued support for a public/private national broadband public safety network following the “Oversight of the Federal Communications Commission – the 700 MHz Auction” hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Telecommunications and the Internet.  “While we must learn from the recent auction experience, NENA remains convinced that a public-private partnership between the commercial D block licensee and public safety is currently the most viable option for funding and deploying a national interoperable broadband network for public safety,” said NENA President, Jason Barbour, ENP.  “We encourage the FCC to move forward diligently while ensuring that public safety’s need for an advanced Next Generation wireless broadband network is realized.”
Click here to review the statement

E9-1-1 Institute Nomination Committee Calls for Nominations for the E9-1-1 Institute Board of Directors
The mission of the E9-1-1 Institute is to support the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus and assist in promoting public education on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues by serving as an information clearinghouse on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues and creating a forum for policy discussions related to E9-1-1 and emergency communications that will benefit public policy development. Each year, the E9-1-1 Institute holds an election for the Board of Directors. The seats up for election each year are staggered to maintain consistency and prevent a large turn over of the Board in one year. The following six (6) seats are open for 2007-2008 election this year: (1) non-profit representative; (1) small telecommunications company; (2) vendor/integrator/software representatives; (1) IP-Enabled service provider representative; (1) membership at large.
Click here for more information and to submit nominations

NENA, COMCARE Call on DHS to Lead the Next Generation Data Standardization Project  NENA and the COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance outlined their shared vision for next generation emergency communications in a September 19 letter addressed to Denis Gusty, the Disaster Management Program Manager at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office for Interoperability and Compatibility.  Representatives from NENA and COMCARE called on DHS DM to lead the development of a next generation emergency data standardization project that would facilitate the exchange of data from a wide variety of emergency information sources.  Click here to review the announcement and a copy of the letter to DHS

National 9-1-1 Association Director Departs; Board of Directors Names Bob Cobb, Ph.D., Interim Executive Director