NG9-1-1 Institute Celebrates April As National 9-1-1 Education Month
Washington, D.C. – The NG9-1-1 Institute, as part of the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition is
calling upon local leaders, public safety officials and elected officials to promote 9-1-1 education
in communities around the country. The month of April was first recognized by the U.S. Congress
in 2008 as National 9-1-1 Education Month in support of the National 9-1-1 Education Coalition,
an alliance of 8 national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety communications who
joined together to advance 9-1-1 education across the country. The group is urging local events
such as school outreach, street fairs featuring first responders and their equipment, and
distribution of 9-1-1 educational materials throughout the month of April.
Last year, the Coalition announced the creation of www.know911.org, a website dedicated to
9-1-1 education. The site contains many free resources that can be used to promote education,
awareness and outreach efforts at a local level. This year, new resources have been added to
support local community efforts to execute their own 9-1-1 education outreach efforts.
Angel Arocho, Chairman of the NG9-1-1 Institute said, “9-1-1 Does Save Lives! Education
should not only occur during National Education Month but throughout the entire year. This year,
efforts will be placed on LOCATION: Help 9-1-1 Help You-Give Us Your Location. We
encourage you to understand how 9-1-1 can help you and teach others to understand the critical
things they should know when you call 9-1-1.”
The National 9-1-1 Education Coalition members each adopted resolutions in April of 2008
proclaiming APRIL as National 9-1-1 Education Month. Each year, the coalition encourages
groups, clubs and organizations to put special emphasis on 9-1-1 education. The organizations
of the Coalition include the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO); CTIA
– The Wireless Association®; the Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies
(iCERT), the NG9-1-1 Institute; the National Academies of Emergency Dispatch (NAED); the
National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA); the National Emergency Number
Association (NENA); and 9-1-1 For Kids®.
About 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. Find out more at www.apcointl.org.
About 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 supplies, 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. For more information, visit: www.ctia.org
About iCERT: The Industry Council for Emergency Response Technologies (iCERT) represents the voice of the commercial sector in the emergency communications field. Established by a group of prominent leaders in December 2005 originally as the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance, iCERT – the Industry Council – plays an important role as the voice of companies on public policy issues impacting 9-1-1 and the emergency response system. Industry Council members believe that business leaders’ expertise can assist public policymakers and government emergency communications professionals as they address complex choices regarding advanced communications technology alternatives in the years ahead. Through advocacy, research and in coordination with the public sector, the Industry Council plays a vital role in the development and deployment of emergency response technologies. Find out more at www.theindustrycouncil.org.
About the NG9-1-1 Institute: 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. Find out more at www.e911institute.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 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 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 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 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 Nineone-one Administrators). Find out more about 911 for Kids at www.911forkids.com.
