The Alliance for Telecommunications Industry Solutions', (ATIS) Network Interconnection and Interoperability Forum (NIIF) has published a testing process related to Emergency Notification System (ENS) Call Volume over wireline networks. This procedure is available for free from the ATIS NIIF Document Page - click here. 

This document’s release marks ATIS’, and the industry’s first consensus agreement related to Emergency Notification Systems. Given these systems’ increasing proliferation, coordinated, industry-wide action is essential. Moreover, the document represents an important shift towards a mutually-beneficial working relationship between the ENS community and Telecommunications Service Providers.

Developed in coordination with public and private entities (including public service commissions, emergency mass notification users, and emergency mass notification service providers and system vendors), the purpose of the Testing Procedure is to foster cooperation between Telecommunications Service Providers and ENS providers/users during testing.

This Testing Procedure is the first in a larger suite of guidelines. It is of interest to Telecommunication Service Providers, ENS Service Providers, ENS Vendors, and end-users. It will assist in the facilitation of efficient delivery during emergency mass notifications over the public switched telephone network. Materially, the testing process addresses the issues associated with increased traffic volumes during times of crisis.

“Effective communication is critical during times of emergency,” said Susan Miller, ATIS President and CEO. “The NIIF’s best practices address an essential element of the emergency communications apparatus. Moreover, the NIIF’s work with the ENS community is a model of inter-industry coordination and a partnership that ultimately benefits end-users.”

The NIIF is currently seeking additional participants to assist in the ongoing development of the comprehensive NIIF ENS Guidelines Document. If you are interested in attending any of these development conference calls please contact the NIIF Committee Administrator, Geoff Mwaungulu, at gmwaungulu@atis.org. There is no fee to participate in these calls.