FCC Adopts Order Substantially Implementing the APCO-NENA-Carrier Roadmap for Improving 9-1-1 Locati

Overview:

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) recently adopted new rules that will ensure PSAPs and emergency responders have the information they need to find 9-1-1 callers. These rules substantially implement the APCO-NENA-Carrier "Roadmap for Improving E911 Location Accuracy" that focused on providing a dispatchable location and putting 9-1-1 solutions on pace with advances in commercial technology.

The general public is increasingly using cell phones to call 9-1-1, including from inside buildings. When a caller is unable to describe where he or she is, 9-1-1 centers and first responders need to have the most accurate location information possible to best ensure a rapid and effective response. Yet until recently, FCC rules requiring wireless carriers to deliver accurate location information to 9-1-1 applied only to calls placed from outdoors. The lack of a solution for indoor 9-1-1 calls has been a growing public safety concern. APCO worked with the FCC, the largest wireless carriers, and numerous other stakeholders to develop a plan that ensures the best possible solutions.

In this webinar, APCO staff will describe the details of the new rules, the steps leading up to the FCC's latest action, and what this means for APCO members and others who will benefit from enhancements to the 9-1-1 system.

Attendees will hear about:

The value of dispatchable location
Availability of actual 911 call data
Next steps and what PSAPs can expect

Featured Speaker:

Rear Admiral (ret.) David Simpson, Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau
Rear Admiral (ret.) David Simpson was appointed Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau in November 2013. As Bureau Chief, he oversees public safety, homeland security, emergency management, cybersecurity, and disaster preparedness activities at the FCC. He works with public and private partners and through the rulemaking process to deliver state-of-the-art communications that are accessible, reliable, resilient, and secure, and to help ensure that communications networks meet the public safety needs of Americans during emergencies. He brings to this role more than 20 years of Information and Communications Technology experience supporting the Department of Defense, working closely with other agencies to provide secure communication services and improve cyberdefense readiness.

Presenters:


	Brent Lee, APCO’s First Vice President Brent is a retired Police Lieutenant from Sparks Nevada where he served its citizens for over thirty years. Starting as one of the original Police Explorers, where time in the station was required prior to being able to ride-a-long, Brent showed a propensity for dispatching and as such was offered a full-time job as a telecommunicator. After a few years, Brent became a police officer and over the years worked numerous special assignments while advancing in rank. In the early 1990s, Brent was assigned to supervise the Dispatch Center where he rediscovered his passion for all aspects of the communications field. While supervising the Dispatch Center, Brent successfully lobbied for lead positions in the Center providing additional opportunities for the individuals working therein. Additionally, Brent started the Center’s mobile computer program, co-authored numerous RFP’s for PSAP equipment, radio and telephone systems. He served as Chairman to the local 9-1-1 Advisory Board on a number of occasions where he oversaw the disbursement of funds to support three local PSAPs. Brent continued to remain involved in communications aspects for the department even after promotion and transfer to other command assignments. Prior to retiring, Brent served as an Acting Deputy Chief, second in command of the department, and attended the prestigious FBI National Academy.

	Jeff Cohen, APCO’s Government Relations Director Jeffrey Cohen is the Chief Counsel for Law and Policy, and Director of Government Relations at APCO International. Prior to joining APCO, Jeff served as a detailee from the Federal Communications Commission, for the Democratic staff of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee. While on the Hill, Jeff was one of the authors of the public safety legislation enacted in February 2012, and worked on other communications issues including cybersecurity. Before his detail assignment, Jeff served as the Senior Legal Counsel to the Chief of the FCC’s Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. In this capacity, Jeff advised the Bureau Chief on a number of public safety and homeland security issues. Jeff is a recipient of the FCC’s Silver Medal Award, APCO’s Leadership in Regulatory Service Award, and the National Emergency Number Association’s Presidential Award. Prior to joining the FCC, Jeff was a partner at the Washington, DC telecommunications law firm of Wilkinson Barker Knauer, LLP, where he worked over ten years on wireless regulatory matters since graduating from the George Washington University Law School with honors in 1994. Jeff also holds a B.S. cum laude in electrical engineering from the George Washington University.

	Mark Reddish, APCO’s Government Relations Associate Mark Reddish has been a Government Relations Associate at APCO since 2012. He is also a volunteer firefighter and emergency medical technician in Maryland. During law school, Mark worked as a law clerk in the Office of the General Counsel at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and as an intern in the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau of the Federal Communications Commission. Mark earned a B.A. in psychology, summa cum laude, from Washington University in St. Louis and a J.D., magna cum laude, from the University of Illinois College of Law where he served as an editor on the Jessup International Moot Court board.