| Funds OK'd for 911 digital upgrade |
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Posted: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 8:22 am
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The Tennessee Emergency Communications Board (TECB) has voted to adopt a funding plan to connect local Emergency Communications Districts to the Next Generation 911 (NG 911) project. The plan will distribute $25 million to local emergency communications districts (ECDs) this year.
“These funds will allow local ECDs to purchase the necessary equipment for the NG 911 upgrade,” said Lynn Questell, executive director of the TECB. “We’re moving ahead with our plans to convert 911 in Tennessee to a digital system.” The funding plan will provide each district with $120,000 plus an additional amount determined by the district’s population.
“This is a big project that will have significant benefits for Tennesseans,” Questell said. “While we’re distributing funds to districts for the purchase of necessary equipment, we’re also building a statewide digital 911 infrastructure.
“We need NG 911 to handle emerging technologies like Internet phone service (VoIP) and the many capabilities of today’s cell phones.”
The TECB expects to begin deployment of NG 911 by early 2011.
“Once the NG 911 project is complete, Tennesseans will have access to the best technology available to coordinate emergency responses,” said Randy Porter, chairman of the Emergency Communications Board.
The General Assembly created the TECB in 1998 to assist ECDs’ boards of directors in the areas of management, operations and accountability, with the goal of establishing reliable emergency communications for Tennesseans. In 2005, Tennessee became the third state in the nation to become Phase II-ready, meaning a 911 operator can obtain a wireless caller’s number and location information. In 2005, also Tennessee received an award from the Congressional E911 Institute for having the nation’s best state system.
The TECB is administratively attached to the Department of Commerce and Insurance, which works to protect consumers while ensuring fair competition for industries and professionals who do business in Tennessee. www.tn.gov/commerce/
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