Lawmakers from yet another U.S. state are looking into strengthening public safety policies with a proposed bill that addresses enhanced 911, or “E911” requirements for multi-line telephone systems.

 

Utah state officials have proposed a bill that would require certain multi-line telephone systems to provide location-related information for 911 calls made from telephones within the system. The proposal also calls to address requirements to update location-related information when a multi-line
telephone system's database changes.

 

E911 uses location-based technology to locate the whereabouts of distressed callers – technology that often saves emergency responders time and people’s lives.

 

The legislation, which was proposed last week, is yet another sign of the growing interest in E911 hosted solution services in the United States. Sen. Jon J. Greiner, R-Ogden, is the chief sponsor of the bill.

 

The proposed bill is also intended to address the impact of industry standards on compliance with E-911 requirements and offer training to users on dialing instructions for 911, including when a prefix is required. The legislation also would require the Utah 911 Committee to provide training and other standards to teachmulti-line telephone system operators how to use 911 telephone systems and develop a testing mechanism for 911 systems.

 

Multi-line telephone system operators that are in an area without E-911 service would only be exempt from the bill for an 18-month period after E911 service becomes available for the following reasons:

 

* The multi-line telephone system has a single emergency response location and fewer than 49 telephone stations.

* The multi-line telephone system operator has an alternative method of E911 support

 

The proposal follows other states that have recently implemented E911 laws, including Massachusetts. Under that state law, Massachusetts officials require that any new or substantially renovated multi-line telephone system must offer the same level of E911 services provided to people in the state, including enterprise VoIP users. The law, which took effect July 1, 2009, gives the Taunton, Mass.-based 911 department the power to exempt “certain multi-line telephone systems” from complying based on costs and the public benefits of compliance.

 

Laws like these are prompting other states to take action, officials from 911 ETC, an Everett, Wash.-based E911 hosted solutions provider, said. As awareness increases for the need for location-based services in emergency situations, more and more organizations and state officials are deploying the technology. As a result, organizations in all vertical markets are discovering the need for the technology.

 

One industry that has already taken measures to implement E911 in Utah is assisted living facilities. Specifically, three assisted living facilities in Utah - BPM Senior Living Canyon Creek, Green Grove Apartments and Settlers Landing – have deployed E911 services from 911 ETC.

For example, BPM Senior Living provides dial tone to its residents - similar to that of an office complex. With 911 ETC's solution, BPM can provide 911 operators the proper location of a caller in need, not just the main address, if an emergency occurs, company officials said.