Next-Generation 9-1-1: What It Means For County Coffers

Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) issues are of top concern for county governments officials seeking to improve and enhance their handling of emergency calls from cell phone users. New technologies will increase response times, location accuracy, and allow traditional callers to text and send photo and video data directly to first responders.

As Maryland and its counties move toward implementing an NG911 network, one key issue that must be addressed is how to fill the void left by Verizon and its vast communication infrastructure. And, while the technology to implement NG911 is available now, there are many issues that local governments must work through, including uniform specifications, the process of transition, governance, and funding.

Learn about the budgetary and procurement impacts of this important issue  at the MACo Winter Conference special session, Next Gen 911: What It Means For Purchasers, PSAPs & Purse Strings.

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Joint Committee on the Management of Public Funds co-chairs Senator Cheryl Kagan and Delegate Ana Sol Gutierrez at NG911 hearing July 2017.

Title: Next Gen 911: What It Means For Purchasers, PSAPs & Purse Strings

Description: As counties gear up to join the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) effort and upgrade their Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) to adapt to the digital era and toss analog aside, basic questions abound for the buyers and budgeters. What exactly do we need to do? When do we need to do it? And, of course, how much will it cost? While the technology to implement NG911 exists now, so do many administrative issues, such as identifying uniform specifications, transition processes, governance terms, and funding. The Federal Communications Commission has estimated that it will cost $2.68 billion to implement NG911 nationally. Join this forum discussion with state and local experts to find out what NG911 means for Maryland counties’ purchasers, PSAPs, and purse strings.

Speakers:

Ross Coates, Harford County Government Public Safety Manager

Scott G. Roper, Executive Director, Emergency Number Systems Board, Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services

Walt Kaplan, MPH, Enterprise Client Manager, Mission Critical Partners, Inc.

Moderator: The Honorable Cheryl Kagan, Maryland State Senate

Date/Time: Wednesday, December 6, 2017, 2017; 4:15 pm – 5:15 pm