APCO Applauds Presidential Signing of Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act

SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. (October 27, 1999) - The Association of Public Safety Officials, Inc. (APCO) today applauded President Clinton for signing the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (S.800). This law is a critical public safety measure that will help save lives by upgrading the nation's emergency response system.

This law establishes 9-1-1 as the universal number for all emergency calls for wireline and wireless phones alike. It provides liability protection to wireless phone users, carriers and public safety personnel and ensures privacy protection for consumers.

Prior to President Clinton signing the bill into law, APCO President Joe Hanna lauded the House for passing the Senate version of the bill. "We are very pleased the House voted to pass this important piece of legislation. This is a step toward the full implementation of wireless enhanced 9-1-1."

During the official signing of the Act, President Clinton thanked public safety officials, medical professionals, the wireless industry and members of Congress for working together to pass this important legislation.

"By making it easier to use wireless phones to report emergencies, this bill could save thousands of lives every year," said Clinton. "People with wireless phones can speed the delivery of public safety services by providing rapid reports of car crashes, incidents of aggressive or drunk driving, serious crimes and natural disasters. Getting rapid care to someone who is suffering from a heart attack or is involved in a car crash can mean the difference between life and death."

The President said the legislation he was signing would improve wireless communications in several ways: It will make 9-1-1 the universal emergency telephone number for wireless as well as wireline telephones (currently there are over 20 different wireless emergency numbers across the U.S.); it will encourage statewide coordination of the efforts of public safety and law enforcement officials to protect citizens and save lives; and it will increase private sector investment in emergency wireless services by providing liability protection.

APCO has long been at the forefront of advocating and implementing FCC rules to ensure the location of calls to 9-1-1 can be quickly and accurately identified. Implementation of Automatic Location Technology (ALI) has been a slow and has encountered obstacles; therefore, APCO is working closely with PSAPs and the FCC to eliminate these obstacles and expedite the process. APCO is the nation's oldest and largest public safety communications organization. Its 13,000 members include police, fire, emergency medical services, forestry, military and government personnel who manage and operate public safety facilities throughout the world.