Note: Illinois APCO and Illinois NENA jointly sponsor Norm Forshee's  participation in the NENA NG-9-1-1 Committee

 
 NENA's work on the next generation of E9-1-1 began in 2000 with the establishment of the "9-1-1 Future Path Plan" by NENA's Technical Committee, which conceptualized the objectives for what has come to be known as NG9-1-1. In 2003, the NENA Technical Committee undertook development of requirements and architectural design for major portions of NG9-1-1. This initial work is nearing completion and is planned to be published in the near future.  Additionally, NENA's 9-1-1 Center Operations Committee began its ongoing related work in 2003 on PSAP operations issues pertaining to NG9-1-1. In 2004, due to concerns about dealing with non-technical issues that, if unresolved, would impede development and implementation, a recommendation was made to initiate a program to address topics such as funding, public policy, jurisdiction, location identification, standards, trials, interoperability, and education.  The result was the creation of the NENA NG E9-1-1 Partner Program, implemented in 2005, and continuing in 2006 and beyond.
 
During the same period, NENA developed content used in the NRIC working groups, and as part of an NTIA funded Texas A&M testing and trial activity. The US Department of Transportation is also on the verge of beginning work on a NG9-1-1 Initiative which will include coordinated development and proof of concept trial activities in 2007-2008.  NENA is also working with multiple national and international standards bodies to integrate NENA requirements and design into the universe of IP communications development, within which NG9-1-1 systems will have to operate.
 
This multi-faceted NENA approach is targeted toward significant NG9-1-1 transition and implementation in the US and Canada starting in 2008-2009 (see above timeline).  The forthcoming NENA NG9-1-1 Project Plan will provide a more detailed analysis of needed activities and the timeframes within which they should be completed in an effort to effectively and efficiently implement NG9-1-1.

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