National Public Safety Organizations and Wireless Industry Support "National 9-1-1 Education Month"

Washington, D.C., -- A coalition of national public safety organizations and the wireless industry are calling upon local leaders, public safety officials and elected officials to promote 9-1-1 education in communities around the country. The month of April was first recognized by the U.S. Congress in 2008 as National 9-1-1 Education Month. The "Coalition for 9-1-1 Education" is urging local events such as school outreach, street fairs featuring first responders and their equipment, and distribution of 9-1-1 educational materials throughout the month of April.

The Coalition is an alliance of national organizations dedicated to advancing public safety communications and the wireless industry who have joined together to advance 9-1-1 education. The organizations are the:

E9-1-1 Institute;
National Emergency Number Association (NENA);
Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International
National Association of State 9-1-1 Administrators (NASNA);
CTIA - The Wireless Association®;
911 Industry Alliance; and
9-1-1 For Kids®;

A national kick-off event in Washington, DC will occur on April 9, 2010. The 9-1-1 Block Party will be sponsored by the Office of Unified Communications at the Ferebee-Hope Community School in the District of Columbia.

"Effective 9-1-1 education is critical at all ages. We encourage you to join us in our efforts to promote education throughout the month of April," stated Gregory Rohde, Executive Director of the E9-1-1 Institute. "Arrange a school visit to your local PSAP, ask representatives from your local PSAP to visit your school, hold a street fair or block party, offer to go to your child or grandchild's class and read about 9-1-1. WE ALL NEED TO GET INVOLVED!""We can never do enough to educate the public about 9-1-1. The commitment of this impressive coalition of public safety and industry to dedicate time and effort to advance 9-1-1 education will help save lives and will produce a significant return on whatever effort is made, stated Michael Amarosa, E9-1-1 Institute Board Chairman. "In addition to school-based activities, there could be conferences and training events for parents, teachers, care-givers that bring together the public safety community and industry leaders in a common effort."

"In today's ever changing communications landscape, we cannot underestimate the importance of better educating the public and managing public expectations about the 9-1-1 system. We are pleased to join all of these groups in support of increased 9-1-1 education efforts," said NENA President Craig Whittington.

"In today's technically oriented culture, education is the link between our communities and first responders. NASNA, as a part of our mission, looks forward to working in each of the states to develop the materials and presentations that will bring our leaders, responders and citizens together through education," said Richard Taylor, President of NASNA.

"APCO members are on the front lines of emergency calls every day," said Richard Mirgon, APCO President. "Our nation's 9-1-1 telecommunicators are challenged daily and an educated 9-1-1 calling public makes their job easier and ensures positive outcomes for all parties involved. We think this is a tremendous idea and we are very pleased to be a part of it," said Mr. Mirgon.

"We are chartered to educate children on how to summon Public Safety services. This month will underscore that need and highlight the activities to accomplish that end. It will also emphasize the overall effort to educate our entire Nation in this vital task, properly calling 911. We are pleased and honored to be a part of this undertaking," said Elise Kim, the Executive Director of 911 for Kids.
"Modernizing 9-1-1 is the key to an overall informed emergency system," said Paul Fahey, Executive Director of the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance.

"Every day, more than 291,000 9-1-1 calls are made using a wireless device and that number continues to grow every year. Our industry supports the 9-1-1 education month because it's important that people of all ages know what to do in the event of an emergency. We believe knowledge is key to saving lives and recognize our industry's important role in helping the public safety community reach those who need help," said Steve Largent, president and CEO of CTIA-The Wireless Association®.

Carla Anderson, Deputy Executive Director stated, "The National Kick-Off event in Washington, DC will occur on April 9, 2010. The 9-1-1 Block Party will be sponsored by the Office of Unified Communications at the Ferebee-Hope Community School in the District of Columbia Public Schools." Anderson stated, "E-mail us. Share your events, plans and stories with us. We'd like to share them on our website."

For additional information contact us at contactus@e911institute.org or visit us at www.e911institute.org.