Next Generation 9-1-1 issues are of top concern for county governments that are seeking to improve and enhance their handling of 9-1-1 calls from cell phone users with technology that will increase response times, location accuracy, and allow text, photo, and video data to be shared by callers to First Responders on their way to the emergency.
As Maryland and its counties move toward implementing a Next Generation 9-1-1 network, one key issue that must be addressed is how to fill the void left by Verizon and its vast communication infrastructure. As fiber optic cables replace copper wires, local governments are faced with the enormous task of upgrading their existing technologies in order to facilitate Next Generation 9-1-1. Recognizing the challenges associated with this transition, local governments have been collaborating on how to best handle fiscal and policy issues associated with this new technology.
At this year’s MACo Winter Conference, you can learn about the best practices, challenges, and implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1.
Here are more details:
Title: Fighting Fire with Fiber? Connecting to Next Gen 9-1-1
Description: As 20th-century technologies phase out, counties must reinvent their emergency call systems. One key issue that must be addressed is how to fill the void of legacy systems that are no longer supported – through building costly and complicated fiber optic and wireless services to replace them. While the technology to implement Next Generation 9-1-1 is available now, there are many issues that local governments must work through relating to technology standards, the process of transition, governance, and funding. In this session, panelists will highlight local progress, identify, gaps, and offer ideas on how to best move forward with building a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 network.
Date/Time: Wednesday, December 7, 2016; 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The MACo Winter Conference will be held December 7-9, 2016 at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hotel in Cambridge, Maryland. This year the conference’s theme is “An Ounce of Prevention.”
Learn more about MACo’s Winter Conference: