WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) today was named as a Co-Chair of the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus. The Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus works closely with the public safety community, communications industry, and citizens to ensure that the best technology is available for emergency communications and that call centers and emergency networks are adequately funded.  Established in 2002, the Congressional E9-1-1 Caucus is made up of more than 50 members from both the House and Senate and seeks to raise public awareness on the importance of the country’s 9-1-1 emergency system, and to improve the availability of E9-1-1 services throughout the nation.  Senator Stevens joins Caucus Co-Chairs Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), Congressman John Shimkus (R-Ill.), and Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.).  

 

“I welcome Senator Stevens to the E9-1-1 Caucus and look forward to working with him and our bipartisan co-chairs to address the critical issues affecting our emergency services community,” said Senator Clinton. “Together, we will work to ensure that the E9-1-1 Caucus’s agenda continues to move forward and that we continue to provide the necessary resources and coordination to enhance 9-1-1 service throughout the country.”

Earlier this year, Senator Stevens introduced S. 93, the 9-1-1 Modernization Act, which expedites funding for new 9-1-1  technological upgrades using money that Congress has already allocated.  The money would fund a grant program established under the “Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 9-1-1 (ENHANCE) Act,” sponsored by Senator Clinton and signed into law in 2004.  The 9-1-1 Modernization Act was ordered reported by the Senate Commerce Committee on February 13, 2007 and is co-sponsored by Senator Clinton and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas). The legislation would provide borrowing authority to ensure that $43 million can be made available immediately instead of after the digital television transition auction.  The funds would be used for public safety answering points (PSAPs) to improve E9-1-1 services and will be replaced after the auction is held, which is expected to be later this year.

 

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To learn more about the Congressional E-911 Caucus visit www.e911institute.org.