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Understanding existing E911 Networks
The E911 system was designed to improve upon the traditional 911 service. Initially, the intent was to provide a single, universal, and easy-to-remember, 3-digit shortcode that was dialable from anywhere and would reach LOCAL emergency services. Before that, it was common to see stickers on phones with the local 7-digit numbers for the Police, Fire Department, and Ambulance service, as they were different for every town. First deployed in 1968 in Haleyville, AL, it quickly became clear that the caller’s LOCATION was critical, and in the 80s, the network was upgraded to support the ability to automatically provide the caller’s phone number (Automatic Number Information or ANI) to the emergency service dispatchers. At that time, the 911 network was operated on predefined tabular databases. When a 911 call is made, the system uses the ANI, essentially the caller ID, to not only route the call to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), but the PSAP could query the Automatic Location Information (ALI) database using the ANI, to retrieve the recorded installation street address of the emergency.
While revolutionary at its inception, the E911 system now must be revised. Devices are no longer tied down to a fixed location. Many have become wireless; even those existing hard-wired business desk phones are often IP-based and easily relocated without administrative oversight or control. With them being highly nomadic and challenging to locate, 911 address records are often an afterthought, offering little assistance to Public Safety dispatchers. Legacy text-based E911 databases are static and require time and labor-intensive manual updating that can take hours (if not days) to occur. Given the importance of proper 911 dispatch, real-time changes in location data, and the additional multimedia information commonplace in today’s communications world, these deficiencies make the entire system ineffective for its designed purpose.
Transitioning to NG 911
The advent of a new NG 911 architecture represents a paradigm shift in the functionality available to emergency services and the applicable technologies. Unlike its analog predecessor, NG 911 is a digital IP-enabled environment allowing originating networks, or even the intelligent originating endpoints they serve, to collect and pass intelligent information to peer networks and other stakeholders. Critical event information and explicit location data values can be provided to the network as part of the call signaling data flows. This dramatically simplifies the emergency call routing model as the overall Emergency Services IP Network, or ESINet, has visibility of the call for service originator, context about their needs, and explicit location information by reference and value. This level of situational awareness allows the NG911 intelligent functional elements to perform their specific tasks and functions as needed.
A critical component of this new architecture is the Location Information Server (LIS). The LIS is the source of truth for the originating device’s location. This Functional Element provides several location-related services for devices within the network, such as tracking device registration events and physical connection information like IP address and network segment data. The LIS is a critical functional element in the overall NG 911 ecosystem, primarily responsible for examining and requesting information until a satisfactory level of validation is reached for a particular endpoint.
New Functional Elements for New Functionality
New Emergency Call Routing Functions (ECRF) in NG 911 networks will supersede the legacy selective router and selective router database mechanisms found in E911 networks. In addition to these elements being past end-of-life, they cannot handle the new IP-based traffic and multimedia-based data. The ECRFs utilize geodetic-based location data and provide routing logic based on network and resource availability to any resource requiring information to respond effectively. These new core network routing functions are where the actual value of NG 911 networks reside. The entire network can be utilized from a holistic view, and the localized silos in E911 finally get their boundaries opened. The architecture’s various functional elements can serve as network-wide resources if needed, opening access to touchpoints for a Business-to-Business (B2B) relationship.
Overcoming Legacy Limitations
The existing legacy E911 networks are plagued by significant baggage and limitations. Many processes are fixed and inflexible, resulting in inadequate routing capabilities, primarily when operating in a degraded mode. The networks were not designed for real-time, in-the-moment information sharing, which has become an increasingly crucial staple with the explosion of dynamic and mobile data. Location is often a dynamic data point, necessitating a fluid and dynamic network to obtain, capture, and transport information into emergency services and public safety networks.
Unfortunately, legislative support for the transition to NG 911 has been slow, and even with new laws, adoption has yet to be consistent. A growing problem many commercial organizations need help with is the challenge of accidental 911 calls. In addition to wasting valuable time from a public safety resource perspective, they can lead to confusion and potential danger in emergency response situations.
Advantages of NG 911
NG 911 addresses many of the legacy system’s limitations by providing a coordinated and collaborative response effort. It provides additional context through environmental sensors, smoke detectors, shot spotters, and weapons detection AI algorithms. This ensures that all responsible agencies have the necessary information to execute an agreed-upon response efficiently.
Moreover, NG 911 eliminates the need for calls to terminate internally within organizations, a practice now prohibited under federal legislation. This allows direct and immediate access to public safety services, significantly reducing response times and potentially saving lives.
As we move forward, the transition from E911 to NG 911 represents a crucial evolution in emergency response technologies. With standards now ratified and continuing to expand, the adoption of NG 911 is underway at both the carrier and PSAP/ECC levels. Enterprises upgrading their communications infrastructure should prioritize deploying NG 911, as the legacy E911 technology is not only end-of-life but also provides little technical and financial efficiency.
NG 911 offers a comprehensive, dynamic solution for modern emergency services, ensuring that when a call for help is made, the response is swift, accurate, and efficient. As technology advances, the importance of adopting and implementing these next-generation emergency response systems cannot be overstated. They are not just an upgrade but a necessary evolution for public safety in the 21st century.
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