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The 9-1-1 Take: Fall 2020
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The 9-1-1 Take by John Hunt
Understanding how FirstNet supports PSAPs and ECCs
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At the FirstNet Authority, we like to say FirstNet is built for public safety by public safety. That’s because we’ve consulted with members of the 9-1-1, fire, law enforcement, emergency management, and EMS communities every step of the way in designing, building, and enhancing the network.
Today, I’d like to discuss the details of how FirstNet supports public safety answering points (PSAPs) and emergency communication centers (ECCs) in everyday operations—and how PSAPs and ECCs are shaping the future of the network.
The path of a 9-1-1 call
First, let’s examine the path of a 9-1-1 call—from the public, to the PSAP or ECC, then to the responder in the field. When someone dials 9-1-1, the voice call and data get to the PSAP or ECC in one of two ways, depending on local infrastructure. It is either delivered via a legacy analog 9-1-1 system or via a new digital Next Generation 9-1-1 system that operates on a network called the ESInet (emergency services internet-protocol network). You could say that these incoming calls come through the “front door” of the PSAP or ECC.
Once the call and data are in the front door, the call information is processed using multiple systems, including computer-aided dispatch (CAD), record management systems, and land-mobile radio.
This next step is where FirstNet can help. To keep with my analogy, FirstNet is used to send data out the “back door” of the PSAP or ECC to police, fire, EMS and other users in the field. By providing a fast, secure connection, FirstNet delivers two-way communication from the PSAP or ECC to mobile devices in the field. As the nationwide public safety broadband network, FirstNet gives all first responders priority and preemption, designating them as the most important users on the network.
FirstNet is a “big win” for PSAPs and ECCs
Teddy Kavaleri, Chief IT Officer, District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications, recognizes why FirstNet is critical to 9-1-1 operations, “There’s a huge, huge value and benefit in having a dedicated public safety network.”
He explains, “We’ve always used broadband technologies for the data portion, for automatic vehicle location, or CAD data into the vehicle and the laptops and the tablets that are in the first responder vehicles. So, this was a big win for public safety having a dedicated broadband capability that has priority and preemption and a lot more control, rather than competing on the commercial systems.”
Other ways PSAPs and ECCs use FirstNet
FirstNet is critical when emergencies strike and a backup plan is needed. Today, FirstNet supports remote call-taking to keep telecommunicators safe during the pandemic. The District of Columbia Office of Unified Communications set up several employees to remotely handle non-emergency calls using MiFi devices on FirstNet, allowing them to operate as if they were sitting in the call-taking center.
FirstNet can also be used to provide wireless data transport redundancy for E9-1-1 and NG9-1-1 systems if terrestrial transport systems fail. This capability provides seamless service to the community until the primary connection is restored.
Your feedback helps shape the future of the network
We want to understand how FirstNet can help your operations. Last month, we conducted a survey of more than 200 PSAP and ECC leaders in order to understand how their centers can best use FirstNet. We are also ramping up our efforts to engage the PSAP and ECC community with more information and tools for integrating FirstNet into your operations. We plan to host a national webinar for the PSAP and ECC community later this year. The FirstNet Authority also plans a national webinar on the new Roadmap update and will be sending out information soon.
I’d love to hear from you to understand your experience or questions about FirstNet. Send me an email to let me know about your needs.
Also, I hope you’ll check out the FirstNet Authority at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Emerging Tech Forum on December 1-3
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Tech, Innovations, and Hot Topics in 9-1-1
Read what we’ve been hearing from public safety in the field about trends and drivers for 9-1-1 and emergency communications.*
The City of Alexandria, Virginia won a 2020 Solutions Award for being the first city in the country to enable 9-1-1 dispatchers to remotely take calls and handle CAD operations from their homes. This kept staff safe by keeping them distant from each other to help reduce the spread of COVID-19. The award is presented each year by the Computer Technology Industry Association and Public Technology Institute to cities and counties that use innovative technology solutions to improve government and public service.
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When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, first responders faced new challenges in how they operate. The District of Columbia’s emergency communications center, the Office of Unified Communications, quickly made accommodations to support remote call taking to keep staff safe while continuing to be a one-stop shop for emergency communications in the nation’s capital.
Watch the video
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John Hunt is a Senior Public Safety Advisor and the First Responder Network Authority 9-1-1 Subject Matter Expert. Learn more about John or email him with your questions. |
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Top photo: District of Columbia dispatcher takes a call at her workstation. FirstNet can connect call-takers working remotely or with responders in the field.
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*FirstNet Authority may provide hyperlinks for third-party, non-governmental websites in order to offer additional context and added value for our users. FirstNet Authority does not endorse any product or service and is not responsible, nor can it guarantee the validity or timeliness of the content on hyperlinks outside of the federal government. In addition, users may wish to review privacy notices on non-government sites since their information collection practices may differ from ours.
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