ARLINGTON, VA., Aug. 22, 2011 — The 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (9IA) today announced that Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett (ret.), Chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau (PSHSB), will be the luncheon keynote speaker at the 9IA National Workshop on 9-1-1 Overload.  The event is being held on October 4-5, 2011, at the Georgetown University Hotel and Conference Center in Washington, D.C.

“I’m excited to have the opportunity to address prominent public safety leaders and government officials on the important topic of 9-1-1 overload,” said Chief Barnett. “9-1-1 is an extremely important service and is a priority for the Commission.   We look forward to participating in the dialog on this complex issue.”

A Georgia woman who died after a flash flood swept her vehicle off the road told her sister “the water is taking me” moments before her cell phone went dead. She was heading home after working an overnight shift when her vehicle plunged into a large pool of water on a dark stretch of road. At the time, the woman reportedly was within a few hundred feet of her house. It was later learned that she tried to call 9-1-1, but kept getting a busy signal because of high call volume.

“Unfortunately, 9-1-1 overload incidents like the one in Georgia impact public safety answering points and the citizens they serve throughout the United States,” said 9IA Chairman Kevin Murray. “Coming together to discuss 9-1-1 overload is an important step the public safety community must take to better understand the problem and how best to solve it.”

The 9-1-1 overload problem is compounded by non-emergency and fraudulent calls that tie-up phone lines and call-takers.

During the massive dust storm that struck the Phoenix area in early July, hundreds of people called 9-1-1 simply to report the storm, according to Liz Graeber, administrator for Maricopa Region’s 9-1-1 system. Adding to the call volume, hundreds more called with non-emergencies.

“Too many people fail to distinguish a real emergency from a non-emergency,” Graeber said. “When residents call 9-1-1 to report a weather event it may prevent someone with a real emergency from getting through.”

Hosted by 9IA, the workshop is being sponsored by CTIA-The Wireless Association^® and co-hosted by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials – International (APCO), the NG 9-1-1 Institute and the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA).

For registration information and more details about the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance’s National Workshop on 9-1-1 Overload please visit www.9-1-1overload.org.

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About the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance

The 9-1-1 Industry Alliance (9IA) represents the industry voice for the emergency communications field.  Established in December 2005 by a group of prominent industry leaders, the Alliance plays an important role as the voice of companies on public policy issues impacting 9-1-1 and the emergency response system.  Alliance members believe that industry leaders’ expertise 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 CTIA

CTIA-The Wireless Association® (www.ctia.org) is an international organization representing the wireless communications industry. Membership in the association includes wireless carriers and their suppliers, as well as providers and manufacturers of wireless data services and products. CTIA advocates on behalf of its members at all levels of government. The association also coordinates the industry’s voluntary best practices and initiatives, and sponsors the industry’s leading wireless tradeshows. CTIA was founded in 1984 and is based in Washington, DC.

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 of 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 (www.apcointl.org) 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.

About the NG 9-1-1 Institute

Formerly known as the E9-1-1 Institute, the NG 9-1-1 Institute is a non-profit organization which shares the mission of the Congressional NG 9-1-1 Caucus to assist in promoting public education on NG 9-1-1 and emergency communications issues. The NG 9-1-1 Institute provides informational support to members of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus as they pursue their mission of improving 9-1-1 emergency communications. Gregory L. Rohde serves as the Executive Director and Carla A. Anderson serves as the Deputy Executive Director. Find out more about the NG 9-1-1 Institute at www.e911institute.org.

About NASNA

The purpose of NASNA is to promote information sharing among states with programs dedicated to implementing 9-1-1 emergency telephone systems. NASNA assists states with resolving issues necessary to accomplish statewide implementation and maintenance of their 9-1-1 systems, along with helping to identify and recommend minimum standards for 9-1-1.  To learn more about NASNA, please visit www.nasna911.org.