NG911 Standards: Making Emergency Response Even Better

NG911 standards are the future of emergency response. Next Generation 911 is more than just a new communications system. These requirements will be the backbone of an entirely new and improved emergency technology that can save more lives and property across the nation.

NG911 is an emerging system designed to manage emergency calls and respond to situations more quickly and effectively. It's also set to offer more improvements to current 911 systems.

With Next Generation 911's standards, public safety professionals can provide better services across the board. These include efficient dispatching to more accurate information sharing between first responders and other emergency organizations.

In this blog, our knowledgeable team at NGA 911 will explore:

• What NG911 standards are
• Next Generation 911 best practices
• How NG911 standards are developed
• The importance of NG911 standards

What Is A Standard?

We use standards in everyday aspects of life, such as electrical cords and wall sockets. They affect everyone across the nation, from daily life to potentially life-threatening situations.

Standards are put in place to help control product and process:

• Safety
• Quality
• Security

The same rules apply to NG911 standards. U.S. government agencies and public safety organizations are expected to follow a set of standards when implementing and using Next Generation 911.

What Are NG911 Best Practices?

Next Generation 911 best practices are specific techniques and methods used with the system because of their practical, efficient, and effective means. The goal with NG911 best practices is to achieve all system objectives as quickly and accurately as possible.

These best practices are the generally accepted principles by emergency:

• Organizations
• Professionals
• Groups

Next Generation 911's best practices have been established over time, making them common guidelines for public safety operations and policies.

How Are Next Generation 911 Standards Developed?

Standards developed through a collaborative process that utilizes cooperation and compromises among diverse stakeholders are at the forefront of American standards.

These standards are created by subject matter experts from the public and private sectors. These professionals work together to ensure the standards are up-to-date with current public safety and emergency needs.

Different 911 organizations also work together to develop joint standards. These collaborative standards create relationships and lead to joined professional efforts. Joint standards often prove to be especially essential for emergency communication collaborations like those shared by NGA 911, National Emergency Number Association (NENA), and the Nationwide Public Safety Broadband Network (NPSBN).

The 6 Types of Next Generation 911 Standards

There are a total of six main NG911 standards.

They include:

1. Product Standards - Product standards describe minimal requirements and expectations of a particular product in terms of its specific use. These standards call for clear and concise descriptions regarding hardware, software, and other technology.
2. Interface Standards - In order to make an interconnection between two or more systems, user interface standards must be established. These standards describe how humans interact with machines.
3. Data Standards - Data standards help ensure a seamless exchange of information between emergency systems. By doing so, these requirements allow for a common understanding to interpret and use the data consistently. Data standards describe the format, layout, definition, and other characteristics of information stored with a system or shared throughout systems.
4. Test Standards - Testing standards describe the processes, methodologies, and other requirements regarding the performance or health of a product.
5. Performance Standards - These requirements focus on how a service or product functions. This often includes the timelines, quantity, and quality of the product or service.
6. Operational Standards - Operational standards set the minimum requirements for how a business process or function performs or delivers. These standards can include training guidelines and policies, and standard operating procedures.

The Importance of Standards in NG911

It is vital that NG911 standards and technology are implemented and made available for 911 officials and PSAPs to ensure a successful system. Without these standards and technologies, emergency personnel and equipment providers will not have the resources they need to serve and protect the public effectively.

Furthermore, without essential protocols and processes, 911 entities cannot effectively share vital information. The benefits of NG911 also go untapped and unused to their full potential.

Conclusion

NG911 standards help pave the way for revolutionary emergency response services and assistance, resulting in improved public safety and more saved lives.

As leaders in the public safety communications industry, NGA911 is proud to provide cloud-based NG911 core services. These solutions are designed to help emergency personnel and agencies better serve the public.

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