NG9-1-1 For Everyone: Supporting Your Journey Through GIS

For Public Safety agencies across the nation, the looming transition to Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) is growing closer, promising to revolutionize dated infrastructure and arm 9-1-1 professionals with life-saving information that more closely aligns with the way we communicate today. This transformation is not just about upgrading technology; it’s about enhancing public safety and ensuring that emergency services are more efficient and effective. At DATAMARK Technologies, we are committed to supporting this journey and ensuring that our clients have the tools and knowledge required for a successful transition.

The current Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) system, which has been in place since the 1970s, is becoming outdated largely due to the replacement of land line telephones with cellphones. The analog system, while innovative for its time, is now being asked to handle functions it was never designed for, like real-time text and multimedia communication including voice, images and videos. NG9-1-1, on the other hand, is an internet-protocol (IP) based system that natively supports this style of communication, providing more detailed information to emergency responders.

The benefits of NG9-1-1 are manifold. Enhanced communication through multimedia support, real-time data, and improved location accuracy are just a few. The system’s IP-based nature also offers greater resiliency and disaster recovery capabilities, ensuring that emergency services remain operational even in the face of system failures. Additionally, NG9-1-1 supports cross-agency communication and national and regional integration, fostering interoperability and collaboration among emergency services.

The fundamental components of NG9-1-1 include the Emergency Services IP Network (ESInet), call handling equipment, Next Generation Core Services (NGCS), and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) layers. These building blocks work together to ensure that emergency calls are routed accurately and efficiently. Maintaining and updating GIS data is crucial to support these components.

GIS is the glue that holds NG9-1-1’s transformational infrastructure together. Public safety GIS layers, when created in alignment with the National Emergency Numbers Association’s (NENA) standards and industry best practices, provide agencies with improved location accuracy and better 9-1-1 call routing. NG9-1-1 GIS layers, such as address points and road centerlines, are essential for routing emergency calls to the appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). This integration reduces the time lost in call transfers, which can be critical in emergency situations.

GIS plays a crucial role in ensuring that emergency services can accurately locate and respond to incidents. NENA has established comprehensive standards for GIS data to support NG9-1-1 systems. These standards, such as the NENA-STA-006.1-2018 Standard for NG9-1-1 GIS Data Model, outline the requirements for data structures, synchronization with the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG), and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) databases.

Adhering to these standards ensures that GIS data is accurate, complete, and up-to-date, which is vital for effective emergency response. If you’re unsure of where to start or if your data aligns with NG9-1-1 standards, our team offers a multitude of data and consulting services designed to guarantee that your GIS exceeds these requirements.

NENA standards emphasize the importance of data stewardship and maintenance. For example, the NENA Information Document for Development of Site/Structure Address Point GIS Data for 9-1-1 provides guidelines for creating and maintaining address point data. Additionally, the NENA Globally Unique IDs (NGUID) standard ensures that each GIS data element has a unique identifier, facilitating data synchronization and reducing errors. Regular data validation and quality control checks are essential to maintain the integrity of GIS data and ensure it meets the stringent requirements of NG9-1-1 systems. Our solution, DATAMARK Technologies VEP, helps organizations of all sizes ensure their data aligns with these standards through robust validation checks, and simple workflows for maintenance and updates.

The successful implementation of GIS in NG9-1-1 requires collaboration among various stakeholders. Key participants include your jurisdiction’s 9-1-1 Directors, GIS and IT departments, and local government agencies. GIS professionals are responsible for creating and maintaining the GIS data layers, ensuring they meet NENA standards and industry best practices while IT departments play a critical role in integrating GIS data with NG9-1-1 systems and ensuring data security and accessibility.

Transitioning to NG9-1-1 is not without its challenges. One significant hurdle is the need to synchronize legacy data with new GIS data. It is crucial to compare GIS data with the Master Street Address Guide (MSAG) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data to ensure consistency. The synchronization, while not vital to the transition to NG9-1-1, accommodates the varying stages of NG9-1-1 readiness of PSAPs across the county.

Various funding sources are available for public safety GIS and NG9-1-1 projects, including state and local 9-1-1 fees, federal and state grants, and emergency management office funds. DATAMARK Technologies also offers grant writing services to help agencies secure the necessary funding for their NG9-1-1 initiatives.

The transition to NG9-1-1 is a significant step forward in enhancing public safety. By prioritizing GIS data and technology, emergency services can provide more accurate and efficient responses, ultimately saving lives. At DATAMARK Technologies, we are committed to supporting this journey and ensuring that our clients have the tools and knowledge they need to succeed.