Gordon’s 911 Safety Bill Approved By Committee

October 30, 2007, WASHINGTON – The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon’s legislation to ensure the nation’s 911 system can process emergency calls made through Internet phone services and other new technology.

“This is a common sense public safety bill,” said Gordon, a senior member of the committee. “Regardless of where you live or what phone technology you use, you should be able to reach 911 during an emergency. This bill gives us an opportunity to improve 911 services for the deaf community, incorporate Internet phones into the nation’s 911 system and modernize 911 for the digital age.”

Gordon’s bill, H.R. 3403, the 911 Modernization and Public Safety Act, cleared the House Energy and Commerce Committee today. The committee’s action sends the bill to the full House of Representatives for consideration.

The bill would give Internet phone providers direct access to the 911 system, enabling them to provide full 911 service to consumers. Wireless phone companies received access to the 911 system through similar legislation in the past.

Gordon’s bill also requires the 911 Implementation and Coordination Office to develop a national plan to quickly move the nation from the current 911 system to an interoperable Internet protocol-based emergency response network that can handle voice, video and data traffic.

“We need to extend access to the 911 network so that all calls get the attention needed in an emergency,” said Gordon. “The smallest delay can make a critical difference during a life-or-death emergency.”