April is National 9-1-1 Education Month!
The United States Congress recognized April as National 9-1-1 Education Month, supporting the initiative of the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition, an alliance of 8 national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety communications who have joined together to advance 9-1-1 education.
These organizations included the NG9-1-1 Institute (formerly the E9-1-1 Institute), the National Emergency Number Association (NENA), 9-1-1 for Kids, the National Association for State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA), the Association of Public Safety Officials (APCO), CTIA – The Wireless Association, the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT, formerly the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance) and the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED).
Each year, the National Coalition for 9-1-1 Education calls upon public safety officials, schools, government officials and industry leaders to engage in a national effort to educate children, seniors and the general public about the importance and appropriate use of 9-1-1. During the month of April, these organizations conduct special outreach to build on existing state and local 9-1-1 education efforts in an attempt to raise the issue of 9-1-1 education to a national level
Members of the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition
APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products, and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire, and emergency medical dispatch agencies.
CTIA – The Wireless Association
CTIA-The Wireless Association ® 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.
iCERT
The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) was established in December 2005 by a group of prominent industry leaders. The vision of the organization’s founders is that 9I1 will play an important role as the voice of industry companies on major public policy issues and that the expertise of industry leaders can assist public policymakers and government emergency communications professionals as complex choices are made regarding advanced 9-1-1 alternatives in the years ahead.
NG9-1-1 Institute
It is a non-profit organization, which shares the mission of the Congressional NG9-1-1 Caucus to assist in promoting public education on NG9-1-1 and emergency communications issues. The NG9-1-1 Institute provides informational support to members of the Congressional Caucus as they pursue their mission of improving 9-1-1 emergency communications.
Visit Website (Broken)
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.
NAED
The NAED is a non-profit standard-setting organization promoting safe and effective emergency dispatch services worldwide. 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.
NENA
National Emergency Number Association 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.
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); NG9-1-1 Institute; NENA (National Emergency Numbers Assn.); and NASNA (National Assn. of Nine-one-one Administrators).