For
Immediate Release
Contact: Carla Anderson
April 1, 2008
Phone: 202.498.6936
E-mail: carla@e911institute.org
Washington,
D.C., -- Eight national organizations – “The
Coalition for 9-1-1 Education” – called upon educators, parents, public officials, and telecommunications
industry leaders to join a national effort to educate the public on the importance of the 9-1-1 emergency call number system
and its appropriate use during April, which is National 9-1-1 Education Month. Retired NFL great Tim Brown, the
national spokesperson for the Coalition, said: “the 9-1-1 system can
save lives, but it requires dedicated individuals who care about public safety to take the time to educate a child or parent
or teacher on how to use it.” Brown said: “No effort to teach someone about 9-1-1
is too small. I want to encourage every parent, teacher, and public safety official to take some time out during National
9-1-1 Education Month to make sure their loved ones, students, and constituents
understand the importance of 9-1-1.”
The
Coalition for 9-1-1 Education has dedicated April as 9-1-1 Education Month and is leading a national outreach effort to educate the public on the 9-1-1 system. The Coalition includes:
-
the
E9-1-1 Institute;
- the National Emergency Number
Association (NENA);
- 9-1-1 For Kids®
- the National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA);
- the Association of Public-Safety
Communications Officials (APCO);
- CTIA – The Wireless Association®;
- 911 Industry Alliance; and
- COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance.
On
Monday, March 10, 2008, the U.S. House of Representatives adopted H. Res.
537 endorsing April as National 9-1-1 Education Month. The resolution,
sponsored by Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus Co-Chairs: Representative Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and Representative John Shimkus (R-IL).
For
more information about National 9-1-1 Education Month activities, please
go to www.e911institute.org.
About the E9-1-1 Institute. The E9-1-1 Institute, www.e911institute.org, is a not-for-profit organization, which provides administrative and policy support to the Congressional
E9-1-1 Caucus. The purpose of the E9-1-1 Institute is to promote pubic education and awareness of E9-1-1 and emergency
communications issues and serve the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus as a clearinghouse of information on E9-1-1 and emergency
communications issues. Gregory L. Rohde, former Administrator of the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration, serves as the E9-1-1 Institute’s Executive Director.
About NENA. NENA is The Voice of 9-1-1™.
Now celebrating its 26th year, NENA was established to promote implementation and awareness of 9-1-1 as North America’s universal emergency number. NENA has grown to become the leading professional non-profit organization dedicated
solely to 9-1-1 emergency communications issues. NENA serves its nearly 7,000
members in 47 chapters across the U.S., Canada and Mexico through policy advocacy, establishment of technical and operational standards, certification
programs and a broad spectrum of educational offerings. Find out more at www.nena.org.
About 9-1-1 For Kids. 9-1-1 for Kids® is the official caller
training education program for the United States, Canada and the Cayman Islands, all countries which use 9-1-1 as
its universal emergency number. The program teaches students how to save lives & property and respond to disaster
situations through the proper use of 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 foe Kids programs implemented by local, federal and international public safety: dispatch centers,
agencies and organizations throughout schools, youth organizations & activities and community events. The organization
is endorsed and supported by: APCO, NENA and NASNA. Find out more at www.911forkids..com.
About APCO. 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 throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.
About NASNA. NASNA, the National Association of State Nine One One (9-1-1) Administrators, www.nasna911.org, is a not-for-profit
organization, representing those states with a central 9-1-1 planning or
administrative authority. NASNA serves its membership through the sharing of technical, operational and legislative information
and assists in the coordination of implementing of 911 emergency systems.
About CTIA. CTIA-The Wireless Association®, is an international nonprofit membership organization
founded in 1984, representing all sectors of wireless communications – cellular, personal communication services and
enhanced specialized mobile radio.
As an organization, we represent service providers, manufacturers, wireless data and internet companies,
as well as other contributors to the wireless universe. CTIA advocates on their behalf before the Executive Branch, the Federal
Communications Commission, Congress, and state regulatory and legislative bodies. For more information see www.ctia.org.
About 9-1-1 For Kids. 9-1-1 for Kids® is the official caller
training education program for the United States, Canada and the Cayman Islands, all countries which use 9-1-1 as
its universal emergency number. The program teaches students how to save lives & property and respond to disaster
situations through the proper use of 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 foe Kids programs implemented by local, federal and international public safety: dispatch centers,
agencies and organizations throughout schools, youth organizations & activities and community events. The organization
is endorsed and supported by: APCO, NENA and NASNA. Find out more at www.911forkids.com.
About the 911 Industry Alliance. The 9-1-1
Industry Alliance ("9IA") was established in December 2005 by a group of prominent industry leaders. The vision of the organization's
founders is that 9IA 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. Find out more at www.911alliance.org.
About COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance. COMCARE Emergency Response Alliance is a national non-profit alliance dedicated to advancing emergency response.
We promote the adoption of modern, interoperable emergency systems and the development of new procedures, training, and tools
to maximize their value for emergency responders. We encourage cooperation across professional, jurisdictional and geographic
lines, seeking to improve effectiveness through solutions that integrate emergency response professions, government, and the
public and private industry. COMCARE’s 100+ organizational members represent
the wide diversity of the emergency response community. Find out more at www.comcare.org.
