APCO Press Release on N-1-1 Issue

(Feb. 5, 1997)
APCO Gives Limited Support for Nationwide use of N-1-1 for Public Safety

SOUTH DAYTONA, FL (Feb. 5, 1997) - Responding to President Clinton's statement that a nationwide non-emergency number may be useful to public safety, the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International, Inc. adopted the recommendations of its task force established to study the matter.

APCO cannot support a mandatory three -digit number designated for nationwide non-emergency public safety access. However, it does support a three digit, seven-digit or toll- free number for optional state and local government use without a nationwide public safety designation. This could create an incorrect public perception of nationwide availability.

APCO has identified several issues that impact the exclusive use of 3-1-1 as a nationally designated number for non-emergency public safety services, including the fact that at least two states currently use 3-1-1 for emergency reporting.

APCO concluded non-emergency access is essential to public safety and acknowledged an N-1-1 number is one of several options, including seven-digit and toll-free "800" numbers. However, APCO believes the successful use of currently available non-emergency numbers and the costs associated with an N-1-1 number will prevent broad implementation of 3-1-1 across the U.S.

Further, it was agreed that N-1-1 can have various uses, including non-emergency access, community oriented policing access and government-wide service access. For these reasons, APCO did not support the exclusive designation of 3-1-1 for a singular use. APCO believes the specific use is best determined by the individual local government entity.

This action follows the completion of extensive research, which was wrapped up last week at a meeting in Washington, D.C. There, APCO received comments from a majority of the involved public safety and governmental groups. Among these comments was that there was a need for a nationwide, non-emergency access number under the premise that 9-1-1 systems across the United States were drowning in routine requests for assistance.

APCO's research found this was not the case. In fact, it found the majority of 9-1-1 systems in the U.S. are working efficiently and are not overloaded. While some urban areas do experience problems with 9-1-1 system efficiency, it is primarily due to a lack of sufficient personnel to answer incoming calls.

"Typically, the issues behind overburdened 9-1-1 systems do not include a congestion problem of the telephone system; rather, they are the lack of personnel support needed to adequately handle the incoming call volume," said APCO President Marilyn Ward.

APCO also found that public education on proper use of 9-1-1 was the single most important factor in promoting the correct use of the system. APCO, therefore, recommends the FCC make 3-1-1 available to local governments but refrain from designating 3-1-1 for any specific purpose that would restrict the multiple uses of this scarce resource.

APCO believes each state's public service or public utility commission should authorize the implementation of a system and provide the necessary oversight. APCO further recommends certain standards and requirements are placed on communities that wish to activate an N-1-1 system. These include provisions for toll-free and wireless access, as well as an ability to rapidly escape to the 9-1-1 system in the event of a misdial.

APCO is the world's oldest and largest public safety communications organization, with more than 12,000 members. They include police, fire, emergency medical services, forestry, military and government personnel.