On December 19, 2016 the FCC issued Public Notice DA 16-1405 requesting comment on a request from the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) to address issues relating to 911 related applications for smartphones. NASNA expressed concerns over 911 applications that could have implications on the delivery of 911 services. Some of the concerns include applications that have the ability to override device generated location information being delivered to the PSAP, making misleading claims regarding the accuracy of 911 location, claiming the app will get help faster, and that the application is more reliable than calling 911. Comments are due February 2, 2017 and reply comments are due March 6, 2017.
If you are concerned for the future of 9-1-1 Apps and the integrity of them as a useful tool for Dispatch Centers, please visit the FCC site and leave your comments.