Next Generation 9-1-1 Transition Policy Implementation ...

1 next Generation 9-1-1 Transition PolicyImplementation HandbookAPPLICATION OF THE Implementation CHECKLIST June 2011 NENA A S S O C I AT I O NT H EPROGRAM PARTNERSPUBLICATION DATE: March 2010 NATIONAL EMERGENCY NUMBER ASSOCIATION1700 DIAGONAL ROAD SUITE 500 ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314 1-800-332-3911 FOR MORE INFORMATIONTo learn more about the topic area meetings, or for information on how to become a member of the next Generation Partner Program, contact Dr. Robert Cobb, program manager, at 1-800-332-3911 or via email at for a copy of this report and for additional information on the NG Partner Introduction 1II. Overview of 9-1-1 in Colorado 1 III. Statewide 9-1-1 Planning 2IV. Application of the Checklists 2 NG9-1-1 Transition Policy Issue Number: One 3 State-Level 9-1-1 Leadership and Coordination NG9-1-1 Transition Policy Issue Number: Two 6 Funding the NG9-1-1 System NG9-1-1 Transition Policy Issue Number: Three 10 Addressing Transitional Regulation/Legislation/Tariff Modifications to Enable next Generation 9-1-1 Deployment NG9-1-1 Transition Policy Issue Number: Four 15 Establishing State-Wide Emergency Services IP Networks (ESInets) NG9-1-1 Transition Policy Issue Number: Five 18 Confidentiality, Disclosure and Retention of 9-1-1 Call and Other Emergency information NG9-1-1 Transition Policy Issue Number: Six 22 next Generation 9-1-1 Liability IssuesV.

2 Results 25VI. References 25 Table of Contents1 I. INTRODUCTIONIn March 2010, NENA published a report titled next Generation 9-1-1 Transition Policy Implementation Handbook: A Guide for Identifying and Implementing Policies to Enable NG9-1-1 . In that report, six key Policy issues were presented, and for each issue a number of checklist items developed. The checklists were intended to provide states and other regional 9-1-1 authorities with a framework with which to evaluate their respective state and/or local legislation in light of how well that legislation enables the Transition to NG9-1-1. It was decided that within the next Generation Partner Program, a group of members would test those checklist items against a state s legislation. The Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center volunteered to work with the group to provide information regarding Colorado-specific legislation as a means to evaluate how well the checklist items met the intended of the next Generation Partner Program s Regulatory/Legislative Subcommittee held regularly scheduled conference calls to walk through each of the Implementation checklist items.

3 Joining the calls were representatives from the Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center and the Colorado 9-1-1 Task Force. The purpose of the calls was to determine how well the checklist items served to identify key elements of 9-1-1 Transition Policy how the state of Colorado is presently structured to implement NG9-1-1, what legislative or other barriers can be identified, and to identify what positive steps can be taken to remove those identified work group convened calls over a 5-month period in mid-late report summarizes the substance of those calls by listing each checklist item and then providing a summary of the discussions that ensued. II. OVERVIEW OF 9-1-1 IN COLORADOThe Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center is a nonprofit agency created by order of the Public Utilities Commission to provide assistance to 9-1-1 authorities and public safety answering points throughout the state.

4 The members of the Resource Center s Board of Directors are elected from the membership of the Public Utilities Commission 9-1-1 Task Force. This ensures that the Resource Center s direction is represented by stakeholders with a thorough understanding of Colorado s public safety communications Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center exists to support those 9-1-1 professionals keeping the public and public safety responders of Colorado safe. It does this by creating a statewide information database and clearinghouse where 9-1-1 professionals can learn about current issues, how other authorities and PSAPs do business, see sample policies and organizational documents, and make their voices of the primary purposes of the Resource Center is to facilitate communication and collaboration 2between 9-1-1 professionals and Policy makers in Colorado.

5 This is done through a variety of media, including a comprehensive website, newsletters, email lists, Colorado 9-1-1 blog, and regional meetings. Specifically, the Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center website contains information concerning upcoming public safety communication-related training and meeting opportunities, grant and funding information , and general information for 9-1-1 addition to these services, the Resource Center produces research into 9-1-1 issues at the request of Colorado 9-1-1 professionals, can assist in communication with vendors, telecommunications providers, and legislators, and advocates for the improvement of 9-1-1 services with state and federal agencies and elected officials. The Resource Center also hosts an annual training summit to provide 9-1-1 professionals with the most up-to-date information available.

6 III. STATEWIDE 9-1-1 PLANNINGThe Colorado 9-1-1 Resource Center is now creating a comprehensive State 9-1-1 Plan, scheduled for completion by December 2011. The purposes of that plan are: To ensure that Colorado remains eligible for future federal grants for 9-1-1 funding To create a clear picture of what the state of 9-1-1 in Colorado is To express a comprehensive vision of what Colorado wants its 9-1-1 system to look like in the futureThe Plan will be a vision document, but it will not have regulatory or statutory power. It recognizes that 9-1-1 services are controlled locally. IV. APPLICATION OF THE CHECKLISTSThe following sections of this report provide the substance of the discussions regarding each checklist item. It will become clear to the reader that the discussions will vary from state to state, depending on existing or proposed legislation.

7 The value of the checklist items, however, is to structure that discussion so that meaningful analysis and identification of needed changes to legislation can take NG9-1-1 Transition POLICYISSUE NUMBER: One SUBJECT: State-Level 9-1-1 Leadership and CoordinationOBJECTIVE: Establishment of a state-level organization to plan, coordinate, and implement a ubiquitous next Generation 9-1-1 system DISCUSSION: The principle of state-level coordination for 9-1-1 , and of overall emergency communications, is not new. It is explicitly articulated in the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 19991, in which Congress encouraged states to implement seamless, end-to-end emergency telecommunications services and found that efficiency in deploying such services requires statewide coordination of the efforts of local public safety, fire service and law enforcement officials, emergency dispatch providers, and transportation officials; the establishment of sources of adequate funding for carrier and public safety, fire service and law enforcement agency technology development and deployment.

8 The coordination and integration of emergency communications with traffic control and management Furthermore, Congress directed the FCC to help make this happen by encouraging the development and Implementation of coordinated statewide deployment plans, through an entity designated by the governor that should include representatives of the foregoing organizations and entities in development and Implementation of such plans. The principle of statewide coordination and planning under the auspices of a designated state-level entity is reinforced in the ENHANCE 911 Act of 20042 and is a specific eligibility criterion for PSAP grant funding under the Act. Similarly, statewide planning and coordination for use of homeland security communications grants is being required, and gradually expanded from solely first responder voice communications to include all emergency organizations and all types of emergency CHECKLIST: Is there an existing state-level agency that will be responsible for the coordination, oversight, and/or management of the NG9-1-1 system(s) within the state and responsible for coordination with other local, state, interstate, and federal authorities?

9 If not, has a recommendation been made to establish an appropriate entity for this function, whether this involves modifying the authority of an existing entity or creating a new entity? 1 Pub. L. No. 106-81, October 26, Pub. L. No. 108-494, December 23, , there is no single entity in Colorado with oversight over NG9-1-1. 9-1-1 is locally governed by 9-1-1 Authorities. Moreover, no formal recommendations have been made to establish such an analysis of current agency capabilities would be a starting point to determining who can do what to facilitate deployment of NG9-1-1. Need to determine the existing agencies and their functions/structure. Need to analyze what can be done, ornot done, under the existing are ways to create a statewide coordinated effort without creating a state-levelagency through inter-local agreements, etc.

10 The statewide non-profit that runs the radio network is a conglomerate. Whendifficult decisions need to be made, the lack of a final, state-level authoritative voice impedes the decision making process. Does the state-level agency have the appropriate authority and technical resources available to undertake the activities necessary for the coordination, oversight, and/or management of the appropriate state-level NG9-1-1 functions within the state, which could include funding, access to and use of the system, maintenance and security of the system, and other technical and system operations issues? If not, are steps being taken to provide that authority?No. Everything to do with 9-1-1 in CO, except for PUC surcharges, is handled locally by 9-1-1 Authorities.