Washington, D.C. —The partners of the 9-1-1 Goes to Washington and 9-1-1 Honors Gala announced today that Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Julius Genachowski will be the featured speaker at the 9-1-1 Honors Gala for 2011. 

The 9-1-1 Honors Gala and 9-1-1 Goes to Washington, the preeminent annual Washington event celebrating the nation’s 9-1-1 system held by the E9-1-1 Institute, NENA, APCO, NASNA, 9IA, NAED and 911 for Kids, honors 9-1-1 heroes and leaders from around the country.  This year’s event will be held March 29, 2011 in the Atrium of the the Ronald Reagan Center.  Last year’s event drew more than 500 public safety professionals, government officials, industry leaders, and citizen heroes.

“Chairman Genachowski has made 9-1-1 issues, in particular the introduction of IP-based technologies and the migration to Next Generation 9-1-1, a top priority at the FCC and we are thrilled he will be participating in this year’s gala,” said Gregory L. Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute.

“Not only will we be recognizing Chairman Genachowski’s leadership for public safety, but he will be joining us in honoring many citizen heroes and leaders from around the country who are making a difference at the community and state level,” said Rohde.

The 9-1-1 Honors Gala will honor 11citizens, 9-1-1 call takers, call centers, government and industry leaders whose life, work, and response to crisis tell the story of how

9-1-1 saves lives on a daily basis.

About the E9-1-1 Institute: is a non-profit organization which shares the mission of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus to assist in promoting public education on E9-1-1 and emergency communications issues. The E9-1-1Institute provides informational support to members of the Congressional Caucus as they pursue their mission of improving 9-1-1 emergency communications.  Find out more at www.e911institute.org.

About NENA:  NENA serves the public safety community as the only professional organization solely focused on 9-1-1 policy, technology, operations, and education issues. With more than 7,000 members in 48 chapters across the United States and around the globe, NENA promotes the implementation and awareness 9-1-1 and international three-digit emergency communications systems. NENA works with public policy leaders, emergency services and telecommunications industry partners, like-minded public safety associations, and other stakeholder groups to develop and carry out critical programs and initiatives, to facilitate the creation of an IP-based Next Generation 9-1-1 system, and to establish industry leading standards, training, and certifications. Find out more at www.nena.org.

About APCO International:  APCO International is the world’s largest organization of public safety communications professionals. It serves the needs of public safety communications practitioners worldwide-and the welfare of the general public as a whole-by providing complete expertise, professional development, technical assistance, advocacy and outreach.  Find out more at www.apcointl.org.

About NASNA:  The purpose of NASNA is to promote information sharing amongst those states with programs dedicated to implementing 9-1-1 emergency telephone systems; assist other states with resolving issues necessary to accomplish statewide implementation and maintenance; encourage the establishment of a coordination person within each state or province; identify and recommend minimum standards for 9-1-1 emergency telephone systems; identify and recommend appropriate legislation or rules concerning the administration of statewide 9-1-1 telephone system programs and serve as a knowledge resource for the membership  of  the Association. Find out more at www.nasna911.org.

About 9IA:  The 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (“9IA”) represents the industry voice of the public safety industry.  Established in December 2005 by a group of prominent leaders of the 9-1-1 industry, the Alliance plays an important role as the voice of industry companies on public policy issues impacting 9-1-1 and the emergency response system.  It is the Alliance’s belief that the expertise of industry leaders can assist public policymakers and government emergency communications professionals as they address complex choices regarding advanced 9-1-1 alternatives in the years ahead. Find out more at www.911alliance.org.

About NAED: The NAED is a non-profit standard-setting organization promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services world-wide. Comprised of three allied Academies for medical, fire and police dispatching, the NAED supports first-responder related research, unified protocol application, legislation for emergency call center regulation, and strengthening the emergency dispatch community through education, certification, and accreditation.  Find out more about NAED at www.emergencydispatch.org.

About 911 for Kids: 9-1-1 for Kids is the official public education organization for law enforcement agencies, fire departments, emergency medical response and 9-1-1 communication centers for the U.S., Canada and the Cayman Islands; all countries where “9-1-1” is the universal emergency response phone number.  9-1-1 for Kids® was established in 1994 and is endorsed by: APCO International (Assn. of Public Safety Communications Officials); E-911 Institute; NENA (National Emergency Numbers Assn.); and NASNA (National Assn. of Nine-one-one Administrators). Find out more about 911 for Kids at www.911forkids.com.