Proposal Extends to Indoor Wireless Calls and New Technological Developments

Alexandria, VA – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) proposed rules and launched a further inquiry to ensure that accurate caller location information is automatically provided to public safety officials for all wireless calls to 9-1-1, including indoor calls, to meet consumer and public safety needs and expectations, and to take advantage of new technological developments.

APCO President Gigi Smith welcomed today’s action and said “we applaud the Commission’s proactive and forward-thinking proposal to address the need to improve wireless 9-1-1 location accuracy, especially for calls from indoors.”  President Smith continued, “as more and more wireless 9-1-1 calls are being made from indoors, it is critical that there be substantial improvement in the accuracy of location information provided with those calls to PSAPs.  Without substantial improvements, the public is at risk that first responders will have difficulty finding them during emergencies in houses, apartments, schools, offices, commercial spaces and other indoor locations.  APCO looks forward to working with the FCC, wireless carriers, location technology providers, and others to address this critical issue.”

APCO International® (www.apcointl.org)
APCO International is the world’s oldest and largest organization of public safety communications professionals and supports the largest U.S. membership base of any public safety association. 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.