WHEREAS: Many local, state, and federal agencies have provided cellular and/or PCS telephones (aka "wireless telephone services") to employees for official use; and
WHEREAS: Many local, state, and federal agencies have installed multi-line telephone systems (aka "PBXs) to provide telephone services within agency offices; and
WHEREAS: Users of wireless telephone services and wireline telephone services, including those provided through multi-line telephone systems, may be using these services to request emergency services such as police, fire, and EMS by calling "9-1-1" or other appropriate emergency numbers, and
WHEREAS: Knowing the precise location of a caller is critical to the effective response of emergency service agencies in responding to calls for assistance; and
WHEREAS: Cellular and PCS telephones do not currently provide precise information regarding the location of a caller when the caller dials "9-1-1" or another appropriate emergency number; and
WHEREAS: Many multi-line telephone systems do not currently provide precise building and room number information when a caller dials "9-1-1" or other appropriate emergency number; and
WHEREAS: The Federal Communications Commission has conducted appropriate proceedings leading to the adoption of federal regulations under Federal Docket FCC 94-102 which requires wireless service providers to provide precise location information in accordance with specified standards for accuracy; and
WHEREAS: Some cellular/PCS providers have declared an intent to begin offering services capable of providing precise location information when a caller dials "9-1-1" or another appropriate emergency number by the end of 2001 or early 2002; and
WHEREAS: Many multi-line telephone systems currently are capable of providing precise building and room number information when a caller dials "9-1-1" or other appropriate emergency number; WHEREAS: Local, state, and federal agencies should provide their employees with the highest level of protection, including the forwarding of precise location information, when those employees use assigned wireless telephone services and/or wireline telephone services to seek emergency assistance;
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: The Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International, Inc., (APCO), National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA) recommend local, state, and federal agencies ordering new wireless equipment/services or extending the contract for existing wireless equipment/services give preference to wireless service providers who provide in the areas served by the agencies precise location information to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) whenever "9-1-1" or other appropriate emergency number is called; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: APCO/NENA/NASNA recommend local, state, and federal agencies ordering new multi-line telephone systems give preference to equipment providers whose equipment is equipped to provide precise location information, including building number and room number, whenever "9-1-1" or other appropriate emergency number is called from a telephone serviced by that multi-line telephone system; and do not recommend or endorse any specific providers of wireless equipment/services or multi-line telephone systems, but recommend that local, state, and federal agencies acquire such equipment and services consistent with this resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: APCO/NENA/NASNA recommend local, state, and federal agencies implement appropriate processes, procedures, and services to forward the precise location of a telephone serviced by a multi-line telephone system to the Public Safety Answering Point whenever "9-1-1" or other appropriate emergency number is dialed.
approved by APCO at its August 2001 annual conference, posted on-line 8-30-2001