Y2K and the 911 System
Dateline: 9/19/99
Often overlooked in the Y2K hype about failed power grids, banks, and air traffic radar is the 911 emergency calling system. According to the FCC, America's 911 systems handle over 300,000 emergency calls every day. Some form of 911 system now protects over 90 percent of the U.S. population.Far from a nationwide standard, no single agency either controls or coordinates America's 911 system. In some areas, regional telephone companies own the 911 answering centers and operate them under contract to local governments. Other 911 systems, while operated by governments, are actually "owned" by different entities in different jurisdictions. Sometimes the fire department operates 911, while in the next town down the road, it's the police, or sheriff's department, or a private provider.
This diversity of ownership, responsibility, and hardware makes ensuring the nationwide readiness of 911 a daunting task, indeed. Lots of very important computer systems, built by lots of vendors, and controlled by lots of people -- look out.
To ensure the functionality of 911 The Federal Communications Administration (FCC) is working to coordinate the Y2K readiness efforts of state and local 911 administrators and system vendors.
As early as November 16, 1998, the FCC Y2K Task Force hosted "Year 2000: Maintaining Emergency Response Communications" a public forum to examine and identify Y2K implications to the nation's emergency communications system. [Agenda] [Transcript]
A FCC-sponsored Public Safety Round Table held in June of 1998 focused
the attention of the public safety community on this issue and encouraged the actions
necessary to avoid disruptions or failures in public safety services as a consequence of
the Y2K problem. The Round Table brought together participants from various sectors of the
public safety communications community, including representatives from manufacturers,
consulting firms, associations and licensees. [Summary]
[FCC Commissioner's Opening
Remarks]
The result of the FCC's efforts is contained in its March 1999 report, "Y2K Communications Sector Report" covering the status of Y2K progress in the communications industry. [Executive Summary] [Press Releases] [Download - 1.6 MB]
Related Resources
National Emergency Numbers Association
President's Council on Year 2000 Conversion: Emergency Services Working Group
FEMA Y2K: Emergency Services Sector Working Group
International Association of Emergency Managers
Y2K Government Report Card
Congress evaluates the Y2K readiness of key public service systems.
Your Y2K Readiness Checklist
What should you do to get ready? Here's a good list.
Missing Children: Help bring then home.
