ROBERT P CASEY, JR. 
PENNC:'f V ~oA 
COMMmEŁ 
AGRICULTURE, NUTRITION. 
AND FORESTRY 
FINANCE 
United ~totes ~cnatc 
HEALTH. EDUCATION, 
LABOR, AND PENSIONS 
SPECIAL COM Mil TEE ON AGING 
JOINT ECONOMIC 
The Honorable Thomas E. Wheeler 
Chairman 
Federal Communications Commission 
445 Twelfth Street, S.W. 
Washington, D.C. 20554 
Dear Chairman Wheeler, 
WASHINGTON, DC 20510 
May 23,2014 
We were pleased to learn that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is seeking 
to ensure greater location accuracy for our nation 's 911 systems. 
As we understand it, the FCC's proposed rule addressing "Wireless E9 11 Location 
Accuracy Requirements" would give first responders an important tool to assist them in locating 
911 callers who, under the current system, oftentimes cannot be located or assisted in a timely 
manner because they made their 911 call on a cellular phone from indoors. 
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, two-thirds of911 calls made in Delaware County 
Pennsylvania (a county of 561 ,000 residents) have inaccurate location information." 
We have also heard concerns from Pennsylvania law enforcement. The Major Cities 
Chiefs Association, including chiefs of the two largest municipal police departments in 
Pennsylvania, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, have also urged the FCC to act to improve first 
responders' ability to locate 911 callers who use cellular phones indoors. 
We encourage the FCC to adopt the most protective standards that are technologically 
feasible. We also hope the FCC will thoroughl y examine the record with an eye toward ensuring 
any future requirements are flexible to accommodate evolving technologies. It is our 
understanding that the FCC's Communications Security, Reliability, and Interoperability Council 
(CSRIC IV) is currently working to provide the FCC a report with recommendations for indoor 
testing, including setting up parameters for a common test bed to examine technologies. This 
effort would help create a single, standardized method for evaluating the ability of current and 
emerging technologies for the purpose of improving indoor location of wireless 911 callers. 
Law enforcement agencies, first responders, and the citizens of Pennsylvania who rely on 
their aid deserve a fast, effective 911 system. We encourage you to continue pursuing measures 
to achieve that goal. Thank you for your consideration of this important issue. 
(jJrrL ~~~· 
Robert P. Casey, Jr. 
United States Senator 
Sincerely, 
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