By Scott Harvey
Arlington – The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is seeking support of an effort aimed at updating aged infrastructure to improve emergency communications.
The program, titled "Moving toward the Future of 9-1-1, Beyond Greatness, Solidifying Expectations" is scheduled for Thursday, July 1 at 1:30 p.m. in Arlington, 616 Six Flags Drive, Centerpoint II.
Officials will look to update equipment over 40 years of age to make way for today's digital mobile society and to meet public expectations. It will replace our current 9-1-1 system and allow for contact to 9-1-1 centers by using any device. Citizens will have the ability to transmit images, text, video and other data to a PSAP.
This critical information will enhance the response from law enforcement, fire and EMS. With Next Generation 9-1-1, the speech and hearing impaired community will finally have equal access to 9-1-1.
The common methods for communications of this population are texting, IM and video relay service. None of these currently have direct access to 9-1-1.
The program is designed to educate and inform the public. The presentation will highlight the challenges facing today's 9-1-1 network and provides a roadmap for moving forward with Next Generation 9-1-1 in our Communities.
NCTCOG serves a 16-county region of North Central Texas, including Collin, Hunt, Kaufman, Rockwall counties.