On the last day of 2014, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has implemented a database and certification process for public safety answering points (PSAP) that are prepared to accept text-to-911 messages, and that will request the service from wireless carriers in the coming months. Although the FCC process is voluntary, it will help document the FCC regulatory process that requires carriers to provide text-to-911 by June 30, 2015 or within six months of a valid PSAP request. The FCC has pre-loaded the database with 186 PSAPs (list, pdf) that have already installed gear to accept text messages and worked with carriers to route 911 messages to the comm center. To submit their information for the database, PSAP officials must download a Word document, fill it out, and email it back to the FCC, where it will be hand-entered into the database. PSAP personnel must still contact and formally notify their wireless carriers that they are ready to accept text-to-911 messages. Read the readiness and certification form information and instructions, and find the form here.
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