Network Group set to discuss 911 issues

RANGELY I Colorado Northwestern Community College President Russell George and Peg Rector, chair of the Rangely Networking Group, announced that 911 Emergency Telecommunications Services will be the topic of a presentation at the Weiss Center at CNCC on Tuesday at 12 noon.
Featured speakers and topics (via teleconference) include National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Director of Technical Issues Roger Hixson on “The Future of 911, Enhanced 911 and Next Generation 911 (NG 911) technology.”
Also on the agenda is renowned telecommunications attorney Joseph Benkert, J.D., of Littleton, Colo., who will address “Structure and operation of 911 Emergency Telephone Service Authority Boards and Public Safety Answering Points (PSAP) in Colorado.” Benkert is legal counsel for the Boulder Regional Emergency Telephone Services Authority Board.
The Rio Blanco County Sheriff’s Office operates the 911 PSAP in Meeker. The Rangely Police Department operates the Rangely 911 PSAP. Meeker and Rangely 911 Authority Board members and public safety providers will participate along with interested community members.
Many wired telephone subscribers are discontinuing their service and using wireless or VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) devices exclusively for data and voice communications.
Traditional wired phones (used to call 911 for emergencies) provide accurate automatic number identification (ANI) and automatic location identification (ALI), which includes addresses and geo-coordinates in fixed locations.
Wireless (cell phone) devices and voice-over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephones require special technology to accurately provide similar location information for PSAP call-takers. NG 911 is the new architecture using digital broadband technology.
The public is invited and may participate via teleconference if unable to attend in Rangely. Please RSVP by Monday to Becky Dubbert, CNCC Public Information Officer at 970-675-3301 or by email at [email protected].