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Text your 9-1-1 emergency, FCC launches NG911

By Tech Tease on Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 6:03 am

To FCC is working on enabling 911 emergency services to receive texts, photos, and videos. At the 2011 APCO Conference in Philadelphia August 10 , FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski announced his five step action plan to chart the transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 services (NG911). According to the FCC's August 10th press release:

NG911 supports seamless, end-to-end IP-based communication of emergency-related voice, text, data, photos, and video between the public and public safety answering points (PSAPs).
NG911 systems will continue to support the legacy 911 system on a transitional basis for as long as is necessary.
NG911 multi-media capabilities expand accessibility (e.g., to persons with disabilities) and give all consumers more calling options in emergencies.
PSAPs receiving text, data, photos, and videos can assess emergencies more quickly and respond more effectively.
IP-based architecture provides more flexibility and resiliency than the legacy circuit-switched 911 system.

Would you use your cell phone to text message an emergency?

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