NCJ Number
67492
Date Published
Unknown
Length
91 pages
Annotation
EXISTING EMERGENCY PUBLIC SAFETY TELECOMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS ARE ANALYZED IN PENNSYLVANIA'S COUNTIES, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A STATEWIDE 911 EMERGENCY SYSTEM.
Abstract
THE 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SYSTEM PROVIDES A SINGLE, THREE-DIGIT TELEPHONE NUMBER SO THE PUBLIC CAN CONVENIENTLY CALL FOR ASSISTANCE FROM POLICE, FIRE, MEDICAL, AND OTHER EMERGENCY SERVICES. PENNSYLVANIA ACT 1978-42 CALLS FOR A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT 911 EMERGENCY TELEPHONE SERVICE THROUGHOUT THE STATE. A 911 DEVELOPMENT DIVISION WAS ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE BUREAU OF TECHNICAL SERVICES OF THE STATE POLICE TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR IMPLEMENTING THE 911 SYSTEM STATEWIDE. THE IMPLEMENTATION OF A 911 SYSTEM IS BASED ON TWO FUNDAMENTAL FACTORS: THE ABILITY OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO ESTABLISH, STAFF, EQUIP, AND TRAIN FOR THE NECESSARY FUNCTIONS; AND THE ABILITY OF THE TELEPHONE COMPANIES SERVING THE AREA TO PROVIDE THE 911 SERVICE. TO DATE, INDIVIDUAL COUNTIES AND OTHER LOCAL COMMUNITIES HAVE IMPLEMENTED 911 SYSTEMS ON THEIR OWN, WITH NO GUIDANCE OR ASSISTANCE FROM THE STATE. THESE 911 SYSTEMS HAVE EVOLVED AS THE TELEPHONE COMPANIES UPGRADED THEIR OFFICES AND THE COMMUNITIES WERE WILLING TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THE UNDERTAKING. IF A STATEWIDE 911 SYSTEM IS TO DEVELOP EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AT A REASONABLY RAPID RATE, THE STATE MUST PROVIDE THE IMPETUS TO BOTH THE TELEPHONE INDUSTRIES AND COUNTY GOVERNMENTS. AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH WOULD INCLUDE LEGISLATION MANDATING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF 911, REQUIRING TELEPHONE COMPANIES TO PROVIDE 911 SERVICE, AND PROVIDING FUNDING FOR BASIC 911 SYSTEMS. THE APPENDIXES CONTAIN SAMPLE AGREEMENTS INVOLVED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A 911 SYSTEM, FUNDING SOURCES, TELEPHONE COMPANIES' STATUS, AND DRAFT LEGISLATION. TABULAR DATA, A MAP, AND A CHART ARE INCLUDED. (RCB)