PSC study of emergency communications advanced

Senators gave first-round approval April 9 to a bill that would allow the Public Service Commission (PSC) to conduct a study examining the statewide implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911).

LB595, introduced by Bellevue Sen. Scott Price, would authorize the PSC to use Enhanced Wireless 911 (E911) to conduct a study of the implications, costs and consideration of statewide implementation of next generation emergency telephone communications. The PSC would be required to report its findings to the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.

Price said Nebraska’s E911 calls currently are directed to a public safety answering point (PSAP) of the governmental agency that has jurisdiction over the caller’s location. As smartphones and other wireless devices are increasingly utilized, he said, an emergency system must be implemented that is capable of receiving voice, data and video transmission from various communication devices into a PSAP and forwarded on to emergency responder networks.

A committee amendment, adopted 37-0, provides criteria for the initial study, including an assessment of the current E911 system, identification of authorities, examination of NG911 in Nebraska and other states, agencies and governing bodies necessary for implementation of NG911 and any other issues the commission deems necessary. The PSC would be allowed to contract with an independent third party to assist with the study.

Under the amendment, the final study must include:

• the initial report;
• identification of necessary technical and equipment changes;
• an estimated cost and recommendation of funding sources for the planning, implementation and management of NG911; and
• recommendations regarding the deployment, interconnection, management and costs of emergency service IP networks.

Fullerton Sen. Annette Dubas, chairperson of the committee, said the E911 system is not equipped to receive data from wireless devices and cannot provide the appropriate emergency response services to those who use them.

“When [Nebraska] consumers find that they may not have that access, there is going to be some real outcry as to why it is not happening,” she said. “This is a public safety issue and citizens have the right to know they will get the emergency response they expect.”

The bill was advanced with an emergency clause on a 37-0 vote.