On January 29, Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Angus King (I-ME) introduced the Making National Parks Safer Act, a bill that directs the Department of the Interior to develop a plan for upgrading emergency communications centers (ECCs) managed by the National Park System to NG9-1-1. The legislation requires that the Department of the Interior assess the potential costs and jurisdictional and technological challenges that may impact the transition to NG9-1-1 in these centers and requires that the plan be developed in consultation with state and local public safety stakeholders. APCO worked closely with Senator Barrasso’s office to ensure the legislation aligns with broader efforts to implement NG9-1-1 nationwide, including utilizing the comprehensive definitions for NG9-1-1, interoperability and ECC developed by the public safety community. APCO will continue to monitor the legislation as it progresses through Congress.
