911 Services

TMC’s (News - Alert) MedHealth featured guest writer, Robin Wright, wrote about doctors that are scheduled to see patients every 15 minutes. According to a recent report in Health Affairs, a journal on health policy, primary physicians are spending more than three hours a week just interacting with insurance companies and health plans. Of course that doesn’t count the almost 20 hours a week spent by nursing staff or the 36 hours spent by clerical staff in similar interactions and in managing patient records.

In absence of a longer day, clearly doctors need some time saving tools. But what about those in the Emergency dispatch and onsite organizational security field, in which time matters most? 911 service solution providers, such as 911 Enable, which provides organizations with simple to deploy, easy to manage 911 services that meet the needs of IP-based communications networks.

911 Enable’s (News - Alert) solutions include an E911 call routing service, automated phone tracking appliance and security desk notification system. These solutions have been established according to FCC (News - Alert), CRTC, and NENA i2 standards, helping enterprises and service providers reduce liability concerns and meet E911 regulations. Below are some trends and developments on the horizon for emergency notification and 911 services – when looking to the future keep 911 Enable in mind.

FEMA IPAWS building momentum.  The coming year will see broadcasters and cable operators replacing antiquated EAS hardware with new digital equipment.  Communication outreach to key stakeholders has begun and IPAWS is more visible at industry events and conferences.  Vendors, who have been closely watching developments from afar, are beginning to act, folding IPAWS requirements into their development roadmaps. 

CAP leads.  With the growing importance of the IPAWS program coupled with the need for greater 911 services and warning system interoperability, Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) adoption should skyrocket in 2012.  OASIS' release and FEMA's formal adoption of the CAP 1.2 standard has caused emergency management system vendors of all types to make CAP a priority. 

Emergency managers and broadcasters will unite.  EM/broadcaster relationships are strong in some places. As modernization of EAS moves forward and broadcasters are expected to make their own 911 service investments to support it, there is a renewed sense of responsibility and collaboration.

Warning system integration moves forward.  Across the country, sirens, automated telephone systems, digital signage, fire panels, etc. are frequently stand-alone systems.  Interoperability amongst these disparate technologies will be a priority as emergency managers look to capitalize on previous technology investments.

There will be a need for independent alert and warning guidance.  With the growing need to integrate sirens, telephone notification systems, incident management applications, etc. coupled with advancements in IPAWS, emergency managers face a bewildering array of 911 service options. 

Healthcare and educational institutions implementing local emergency alert and warning practices.  Recent events in healthcare and higher education have stimulated new interest and incentive for collaboration across all agencies; better, more consistent 911 service solutions will be sought.

As TMC’s David Sims listed in his article, “Top Ten Reasons to Choose E911 Services from Enable,” 911 Enable automates and simplifies the management tasks associated with E911, since IP phones may be tracked automatically, and comprehensive reporting and monitoring tools are accessible via a dashboard. Today’s security personnel, usually first responders to an incident and familiar faces to an organization, could use simplified 911 services to help them with their management tasks. 911 Enable and Avaya have come together to improve on-site 911 services and emergency response.