Clinton Hails Senate Passage of Her Resolution to Boost 911 Education

[The Straight Story]

April 10, 2008

Clinton Hails Senate Passage of Her Resolution to Boost 911 Education

Senate Designates April as National 911 Education Month

Washington, DC – Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) today hailed Senate passage of her resolution to designate April as National 911 Education Month. The resolution was cosponsored by Senator Clinton’s fellow Co-chair of the Congressional E-911 Caucus, Senator Ted Stevens (R-AK), and supported by the Coalition for 911 Education, an alliance of eight national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety communications. A similar resolution has also passed the House. In designating April as National 911 Education month, the resolution aims to help keep Americans informed of the changing technological landscape and how the 911 system has adapted to new and emerging technologies.

“In an emergency, knowing how to correctly use 911 can mean the difference between life and death. Effective 911 education can save lives, aid our first responders, and keep our communities safe,” Senator Clinton said. “We should do all we can to educate the public about this vital service and I am pleased that the Senate has passed this resolution and has designated April and National 911 Education Month.”

“911 calls are a lifeline for those in danger, and are essential for our public safety personnel to respond quickly to emergencies,” said Senator Stevens. “Designating April 2008 as National 911 Education Month recognizes the important need to educate all Americans about the proper use of 911.”

The Coalition for 911 Education includes the E9-1-1 Institute, the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO), CTIA – The Wireless Association®, 9-1-1 For Kids®, 911 Industry Alliance, and COMCARE- Emergency Response Alliance.

Retired NFL star Tim Brown, the national spokesperson for the Coalition, said: “The 911 system can save lives, but it requires dedicated individuals who care about public safety to take the time to educate a child or parent or teacher on how to use it.” Brown said: “No effort to teach someone about 911 is too small. I want to encourage every parent, teacher, and public safety official to take some time out during National 911 Education Month to make sure their loved ones, students, and constituents understand the importance of 911.”

“We can never do enough to educate the public about 911. The commitment of this impressive coalition of public safety and industry to dedicate time and effort to advance 911 education will help save lives and will produce a significant return on whatever effort is made,” said Gregory L. Rohde, Executive Director of the E911 Institute. He said that “in addition to school-based activities, there could be conferences and training events for parents, teachers, care-givers that bring together the public safety community and industry leaders in a common effort.”

"In today’s ever changing communications landscape, we cannot underestimate the importance of better educating the public and managing public expectations about the 911 system. We are pleased to join all of these groups in support of this important resolution in support of much needed increased 911 education efforts," said NENA President Jason Barbour.

“NASNA looks forward to working with our communities in each of the states to develop the materials and presentations that will be useful. This is part of our mission,” said Richard Taylor, President of NASNA.

“APCO members are on the front lines of emergency calls every day,” said Willis Carter, APCO President. “Our nation’s 911 telecommunicators are challenged daily and an educated 911 calling public makes their job easier and ensures positive outcomes for all parties involved. We think this is a tremendous idea and we are very pleased to be a part of it,” said Willis Carter, APCO President.

“The commercial wireless industry plays a uniquely important role in transmitting emergency calls, and helping public safety locate people needing help,” said CTIA President and CEO Steve Largent, “We support the effort to educate Americans about the value of 911 service and look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts with the numerous dedicated organizations in the public safety community.”

"We are chartered to educate children on how to summon Public Safety services. This month will underscore that need and highlight the activities to accomplish that end. It will also emphasize the overall effort to educate all of our Nation in this vital task, properly calling 911. We are pleased and honored to be a part of this undertaking," said Elise Kim, the Executive Director of 911 for Kids.

"This is clearly an exciting time for the Coalition and the 9IA organization. We have reached a crossroads for 911 in America—the importance of public education has never been greater due to consumer technology surpassing an aging 911 infrastructure. The passing of this resolution gives us more opportunity than ever before to truly make a difference in public perception and continue to fulfill our number mission of delivering the best possible 911 service to the public." said Kevin Murray, Vice-Chairman, 911 Industry Alliance.

”Modernizing 911 is the key to an overall informed emergency system,” said David Aylward, Director of COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance, whose 100 organizational members advocate for advanced response using the latest technologies and procedures.

Senator Clinton has long been an advocate for a more effective 911 system. She authored the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE) Act and helped pass it into law in 2004. The law increases coordination of federal, state and local emergency communications systems, emergency personnel and public safety organizations to help local and state governments to deal with the technological issues related to 911 calls made through cellular phones. The law also provides resources to help local public safety answering points (PSAPs) make the necessary technological improvements to their facilities in order ensure that all calls, whether they are made on landlines, cell phones or broadband lines, are responded to. Senators Clinton and Stevens worked to secure over $43 million in funding for these efforts last year.

http://clinton.senate.gov/news/statements/details.cfm?id=295989&&

This thread is not a bash or an endorsement (my candidate is not in the running anymore). It is what it is, a press release.