Dispelling the Myths of NG911 Technology

The prioritization of Next Generation 911 (NG911) continues to expand for federal and state government organizations as the need for updated public safety systems technology increases.

A national map of NG911 progress shows that many states are making efforts to implement new technology in their agencies, but as innovations continue to change, our understanding of what NG911 truly is will shift.

In this article, we discuss the top myths surrounding NG911 and how CentralSquare helps your agency to become NG911-ready.

Myth #1 – NG911 is just a single technology

NG911 Technology is a standard-based, emergency communications infrastructure that governs a wide spectrum of the public safety industry. That includes NG Core Services that connect people to PSAPs and call handling solutions. The technology puts data into the hands of 911 operators to share information across other systems including CAD, RMS, mobile and radio.

Initially, text-to-911 was an early innovation; however, the improvements in technology did not stop there. NG911 is more than just text, it is an overarching set of technologies that includes IP-based routing, location-based routing, IP calls, and many other capabilities that advance call-taking and dispatch efforts.

Myth #2 – NG911 is a one-and-done effort

Early NG911 technology years ago does not look the same compared to today’s technology. It is a moving target, requiring ongoing, continuous efforts.

While text capabilities were once considered the latest in public safety innovations, the conversations and goals for what agencies need are shifting to features like Additional Data Repository (ADR) that provides call takers with additional data including information about the network or service provider, the device, the caller’s medical details, site structure floorplans and on-site hazards.

Other advancements include having technology that incorporates Emergency Incident Data Object (EIDO), which is the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) standard for emergency incident data exchange. As information changes during an incident, there must be a standardized process for communicating changes in incident status.

Myth #3 – NG911 will make everything easier and simpler

What’s clear is that NG911 is connecting more systems than ever before. However, this does not imply that every outcome will be a better, faster, or more accurate response – sometimes it’s just more data.

There’s a responsibility from vendors and public safety leaders to ensure efforts are focused on what kind of information leads to better outcomes. It is important to know what data is important to help with dispatch and saving lives. What do you really need and what information can be digested quickly and easily to help citizens?

This is specifically important as it relates to dispatchers handling video evidence. Having the ability to receive multimedia from callers is a game changer in public safety technology, but not all video evidence is helpful or relevant to the call taker at the moment to dispatch emergency services.

Your agency can implement guidelines and parameters for what kinds of calls will be set up to receive video. For example, enabling video for EMD dispatchers who are trained for medical dispatch, or only for fire calls.

Myth #4 – I have to have the same ESInet and call-taking solution provider

NG911 is a huge set of technologies. It is partly provided by several vendors and partners who work together through controlled standards to govern how various systems interconnect. No single vendor does everything in the public safety space, and all of them conform to standards to ensure seamless interoperability.

In reality, no single provider will do everything in the public safety space. However, all providers are held to a set of standards so that technologies are able to communicate with one another and operate cohesively.

CentralSquare and NG911

CentralSquare is a committed partner to NG911 and strives to help PSAPs navigate this space. As the “myth busters” of NG911, we work to take NG911 above and beyond the standards and leverage new technologies to improve the call-taking experience and ultimately outcomes in the communities served by CentralSquare.

Watch our webinar to learn more information about the myths surrounding NG911 technology and how we can help your agency improve operations.