PULSE Magazine | April 2019 Issue

2009 First successful text-to-911 message is sent in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

2012 Washington state implements the first statewide ESInet. 

ESInets are interconnected IP-based 9-1-1 networks capable of enabling text, video and photo communications (in addition to voice), as well as providing backup support during periods of high call volume. 2015 FCC adopts rules to improve location accuracy using a “dispatchable address” or X/Y within 50 meters for wireless 9-1-1 calls.  The FCC’s Fourth Report & Order introduces the concept of a “dispatchable address”, which is the address that first responders will knock on in case of emergency.

2016 AT&T announces a nationwide ESInet.

2017 Kari’s Law passes both House and Senate. 

House and Senate have each passed their own version of the bill, which eliminates the need to dial a prefix i.e., “9” before calling 9-1-1 from multi-line telephone system. It also requires that a central contact at the facility be notified of a 9-1-1 call (if the system can be configured to do so without improvement to hardware or software).

2018 President Trump signs H.R. 582 (Kari’s Law)

All 50 U.S. states, Washington, D.C. and 5 territories opt into FirstNet.

 FirstNet is a dedicated nationwide broadband network that will help first responders and public safety agencies communicate and share information during emergencies, large events or when commercial 9-1-1 networks become congested.

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