WHAT THEY’RE SAYING ABOUT CHAIRMAN PAI’S PROPOSAL TO IMPROVE 911 LOCATION ACCURACY Public Safety Groups Support Establishing a 3-Meter “Z-Axis” to Better Locate Wireless 911 Callers in Multistory Buildings International Association of Fire Chiefs, International Association of Fire Fighters, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Sheriffs’ Association, and National Association of State EMS Officials: “By adopting this Report and Order, the FCC will make it easier and faster to locate a wireless 9-1-1 caller in multistory building. A three meter z-axis metric not only provides emergency responders with actionable location information, but it also gives the public greater assurance that when they dial 9-1-1 from their cell phones, emergency responders can find them more quickly.” (IAFC, IAFF Applaud FCC Order on Wireless 9-1-1 Calls, Press Release, 11/6/19) National Association of EMS Physicians: “The National Association of EMS Physician supports the Federal Communication Commission’s Draft Fifth Report and Order and the Draft Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. It is a critical step in enabling EMS and first responders to quickly and accurately locate 911 callers. Deploying z-axis technology would identify the floor level for wireless 911 calls made from multi-story buildings, thus decreasing response times to provide faster medical attention, ideally improving outcomes and saving lives.” (FCC Proposes Order to Improve Location Accuracy, Blog, 11/7/19) NENA, The 9-1-1 Association: “These rules and proposals are a great step forward for 9-1-1 and for everyone who relies on public safety responders. . . . We’re pleased with the ±3m standard, and we’re not alone. It’s safe to say that public safety stands behind the FCC’s draft rules. . . . We’re excited because we believe that undistorted, accurate x/y/z-axis information will open up a new world of dispatchable location solutions for public safety, promoting technology-neutral innovation in indoor location accuracy, mapping, and addressing.” (NENA Comments on Z-Axis Report & Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Blog, 10/31/19) National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA): “If the proposed rules are adopted at the Commission’s November 19 meeting, the requirements will be a significant step toward improving the ability to locate wireless 911 callers in multi-story buildings. With these rules and proposals, the FCC demonstrates the importance of accurate wireless 911 location information and its critical role in public safety. The rules will help ensure that the wireless communications industry keeps its 2015 Z-Axis Roadmap commitment to public safety and users of wireless devices.” (Tweet, 11/4/19) National Public Safety Telecommunications Council (NPSTC): “Excellent news for public safety regarding proposed FCC rules to mandate a 3 meter accuracy standard for 911 caller location.” (Tweet, 10/30/19) Paramedic Foundation: “Timely emergency notifications on mobile devices can save lives and paramedics need accurate location information, especially inside buildings. The FCC’s latest order will mandate a 911 caller’s location in a multistory building to within 9 feet vertically and save lives.” (Tweet, 11/6/19) National Sheriffs’ Association: “The FCC should adopt the R&O as written, because it will considerably and demonstratively improve 911’s ability to locate wireless callers in multi-story buildings. The rules and proposals are a much needed improvement for everyone who relies on first responders. This will enable 911 callers to be located more quickly, will greatly improve response times and will save lives.” (NSA Applauds FCC Leadership On FCC Z-Axis Report & Order, News Release, 11/5/19) National Association of State EMS Officials: “We have supported the life-saving foundation of the Draft Fifth Report and Order and the Draft Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. These documents establish the three meter vertical (z axis) requirements for 911 wireless calling location accuracy and seek to further tighten and refine the requirements for location accuracy in all horizontal and vertical planes. Simply stated, if a 911 caller in medical crisis is on a different floor or in a different building than it appears from the caller’s information as provided today, there will be a delay in EMS reaching them. The FCC’s current drafts are a great step in fixing that.” (FCC Proposes Order on 911 Location Accuracy Long Sought by Public Safety, Press Release, 11/6/19) Fairfax Fire/Rescue: “A great new tool for the tech toolbox. Thanks @FCC for coming to #FCFRD Station 4, Herndon, to highlight #FCC rule. @ChiefJohnButler along with @IAFF2068 President Kuley honored to host.” (Tweet, 10/29/19) Harris County’s Deputy Emergency Management Coordinator Francisco Sánchez, Jr.: “A cross-section of commenters, including public safety officials, agree that achieving a +/- 3-meter metric within existing timelines (April 2021 for top 25 CMAs) is technically feasible and will benefit public safety.” (Filing, 11/12/19) Public Knowledge: “This action by the Commission is a major milestone for both public safety and consumer privacy. We thank Chairman Pai for clarifying that enhanced geolocation information collected for 911 purposes requires the highest degree of protection by carriers. . . . We applaud the Commission for setting an aggressive timetable for deployment of new, life-saving location technologies, and we urge all carriers to move quickly to deploy them.” (Public Knowledge Welcomes FCC Action to Enhance 911 Location Accuracy While Protecting Consumer Privacy, Press Release, 11/13/19) ### Office of Chairman Ajit Pai: (202) 418-1000 Twitter: @AjitPaiFCC www.fcc.gov/leadership/ajit-pai This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).