New Self-Assessment Tool Helps Identify Next Generation 911 Readiness
WASHINGTON – As state offices, 911 authorities, emergency communication centers (ECC), and public safety answering points (PSAP) work toward implementing Next Generation 911 (NG911) networks, assessing progress can pose challenges. Built on feedback received from government, industry, and academia stakeholders, a new self-assessment tool is available to help ECC/PSAP administrators and oversight personnel evaluate a system’s NG911 maturity state and understand the next steps necessary to continue deployment.
The NG911 Self-Assessment Tool is now available online at 911.gov. This easy-to-use checklist establishes a common terminology and identifies key milestones to help 911 call centers understand the multi-year NG911 implementation process. The Tool is a downloadable Microsoft Excel file, which ensures that collected results are only shared with the agency completing the assessment.
The Tool compiles respondents’ answers and categorizes their 911 system into one of five maturity states for NG911 implementation. The results are intended to help agency leadership to: (1) document their 911 system’s current functions and capabilities; (2) strengthen their understanding of NG911 elements; and (3) help outline next steps to transition their system into a fully integrated NG911 network.
Developed by the SAFECOM-National Council of Statewide Interoperability Coordinators (NCSWIC) NG911 Working Group, with support from the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and the National 911 Program, the Tool was created in response to a recommendation of the Federal Communication Commission’s Task Force on Optimal PSAP Architecture (TFOPA), which advocated for the identification, documentation, and development of resources that will facilitate the transition to NG911.
Paired with the Cyber Risks to Next Generation 911 primer, the Tool can assist 911 agency leadership improve the cybersecurity posture of their system through enhanced planning and the implementation of cyber hygiene best practices. To learn more about the Self-Assessment Tool and other helpful NG911 resources, visit 911.gov.
About the National 911 Program
The National 911 Program provides federal leadership to support and promote optimal 911 services. It was created by Congress to provide information to improve the 911 system and to coordinate information sharing and activities among federal agencies and the 911 community. The Program fulfills its mission by developing and distributing a variety of tools and resources for the nation’s 911 stakeholders. The National 911 Program is housed within the Office of Emergency Medical Services at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
About the SAFECOM-NCSWIC NG911 Working Group
The SAFECOM-NCSWIC NG911 Working Group was established in September 2017 to serve as a forum for public safety and emergency communications officials to exchange information and share best practices related to implementation of NG911 or internet protocol (IP)-based 911 systems. The Working Group is charged with identifying, documenting, and developing work products that will facilitate the transition to NG911. Membership is comprised of active representation from various government agencies (federal, state, local, territorial, and international), trade associations, and academia. SAFECOM-NCSWIC is supported by CISA, working with partners to defend against today’s threats and collaborating to build more secure and resilient infrastructure for the future. For additional information on the group and its NG911 transition resources, please visit https://www.cisa.gov/safecom/next-generation-911.
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