The Wireless E-911 Department administers the Enhanced Wireless 911 Fund. This program provides funding to wireless service providers (WSPs) and public safety answering points (PSAPs, also known as 9-1-1 centers) to implement and maintain enhanced wireless 911 service. Enhanced wireless 911 service provides the wireless caller's location and call-back information to the PSAP.
Wireless E911 enables citizens to call 911 on their wireless phones. There are three phases of Wireless E911. The most basic of these is œWireless Phase 0. This means that when a person calls 911 from their wireless device, the PSAP in a city or county, possibly up to hundreds of miles away from the caller, may receive the call, but not receive the telephone number of the wireless device or the location of the caller. This presents potentially life threatening issues due to lost response time if caller is unable to speak, doesn't know where they are, doesnt know their wireless telephone number, or if the call is dropped.
When œWireless Phase I 911 has been implemented, a wireless call will come into the PSAP with the wireless devices telephone number and the location of the wireless cellular tower that received the call. This allows the PSAP to determine the general location of the calling party, usually within a few square miles. This is important in the event the call is dropped. This information may assist PSAP employees in working with the wireless carrier to identify the wireless subscribers name.
When œWireless Phase II 911 has been implemented by local 911 systems and wireless carriers, it allows the PSAP to receive both the wireless caller's telephone number and their specific location by latitude and longitude.
There are two types of wireless location technologies available to identify the specific location of a wireless caller, network-based or handset-based. Of the carriers offering service in Nebraska, Cricket, Sprint Nextel, US Cellular and Verizon utilize a handset-based solution. AT&T/Cingular, iWireless, Pinpoint Wireless, T-Mobile and Viaero utilize a network-based solution.
Wireless funds can only be used for items that are necessary to process a wireless call -- this does not include the items necessary to dispatch the call or for the dissemination of the information to first responders, etc. Funds should not pay 100% of any cost unless it is specifically a wireless cost and should not pay 100% of one invoice and then 0% of next invoice to split ratio.
Eligible uses of funds:
- PSAP can set aside up to 75% of annual allocation;
- Amounts set aside above 75% will be deducted from the next years allocation;
- Equipment and software (new and upgrade) necessary for the provision of wireless E911, including CPE equipment and relevant software;
- Maintenance costs for eligible equipment and software;
- Maintenance costs related to GIS data;
- Telecommunications services required for the provision of enhanced wireless 911 service including trunking and connection to the selective router.
- CenturyLink, Windstream are 911 Infrastructure Companies;
- Telephone bills from smaller telephone companies for database charges;
- A dedicated wireless 911 trunk is eligible for funding 100%;
- Shared facilities are subject to the wireless ratio; and
- Long distance charges are not eligible for funding unless it is a 911 transfer Should be using StarCodes;
- Training not to exceed 5% of annual allocation;
- Training must include topics relevant to 911 calltaking; and
- NENA/APCO, NESCA Conferences Submit copies of agendas with audit documentation
- 911 Dispatcher/CallTaker Salary utilizing the wireless ratio;
- Does not include administrator duties; and
- Does not need to be split up on any other basis than wireless ratio;
- Effective July 1, 2014, regular funding or set aside funds can be used to pay for consulting costs related to the selection and purchase of equipment and software pursuant to wireless ratio