CA 9-1-1 Technology

Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) in California

​The California 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Branch has provided coordination and direction to ensure that the people of this state enjoy the best 9-1-1 call processing functionality in the nation. While the existing 9-1-1 system has been a success story for more than 40 years, it has been stretched to its limit in the present environment. Unfortunately, it was never envisioned that the current 9-1-1 system would receive calls and data from new and emerging technologies as diverse as what we see today.

The need to transform California’s legacy 9-1-1 system into a Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) system is upon us. The IP based network of NG9-1-1 will allow for capabilities such as location based routing, policy based routing and dynamic call routing between Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). Additionally, applications like text, video, and photos along with continual advancements in communications technology create the desire for a more advanced system to access emergency care.

The CA 9-1-1 Branch has taken significant steps towards the implementation of a NG9-1-1 infrastructure in California. In December 2010, the Proposed California NG9-1-1 Roadmap was released, which “identifies the steps and tasks necessary to assess, plan, design, test, implement, and maintain a comprehensive NG9-1-1 system in CA.” The CA 9-1-1 Branch is also actively engaged in five pilot projects to assist in determining the best path forward for the State of California.

While it is important to examine how technology affects 9-1-1 today, it is equally important to understand the operational expectations and impacts to California PSAPs. As such, the CA 9-1-1 Branch conducted a series of six Public Meetings on Next Generation 9-1-1 in California during the first quarter of 2011. The CA 9-1-1 Branch will continue to solicit input from our stakeholders and partners through focus groups and public meetings to foster collaboration and gather critical information on how NG9-1-1 will best serve the PSAPs and California’s citizens.

For any questions or comments specific to the NG9-1-1 Project please contact Ryan Sunahara at (916) 657-9100 or Ryan.Sunahara@caloes.ca.gov.

NG9-1-1 PILOT PROJECTS IN CALIFORNIA

The CA 9-1-1 Branch is currently engaged in five NG9-1-1 pilot projects in various regions throughout the state. These projects are designed to allow the state to implement, monitor and evaluate various NG9-1-1 platforms in order to validate each solution against requirements identified as necessary for NG9-1-1 in California. These projects will also further define and help structure the statewide strategy that will be used for NG9-1-1 implementation. The status of each of these pilot projects is outlined below along with a link to the fact sheet that offers a brief description. Updates will be made available as the projects progress.

Enhanced 9-1-1 Grant Project

The 9-1-1 Office submitted this request for information to gain comments from vendors interested in providing Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) database and network services in California. The 9-1-1 Office intends to solidify the requirements in the NGEN Database Specification to obtain multiple vendor responses for the formal RFP.

One of the highlight features of the hosted configuration is the “any to any” feature, allowing call takers to “roam” from their PSAP to another PSAP within the project and resume taking their calls as if they were at their own workstation. Gridley Police Department (PD) recently had the opportunity to use this feature, leaving their center for two days due to building maintenance and answering calls at Oroville PD – everything functioned as planned!

Beyond Butte County, the Enhanced 9-1-1 Grant Project has seen the completion of site remediation at all 37 PSAPs, and all equipment, including the NG9-1-1 trunks, has been installed. Proof of concept testing for new NG9-1-1 network connectivity has also been completed at all 37 PSAPs. In January 2012, initial proof of concept testing for X/Y (location based) routing with Verizon Wireless also took place with the first seven PSAPs. The goal remains to deploy live wireless traffic on this solution in the third quarter of this year.

For specific information regarding the ENHANCE 911 Act of 2004 and the grant that California received through this act, See "Grants" info below this page.

Imperial County Project

Brawley PD, Calexico PD, El Centro PD, and Imperial County Sheriff were all cutover to a hosted configuration at the end of September 2011. Like Butte County, Imperial County is also utilizing a dual CPE host configuration. An overall success, the PSAPs continue to work through various issues with the vendor parties. The CA 9-1-1 Branch will be working with the PSAPs in order to develop a project summary and evaluate this specific hosted environment. The implementation of this solution in addition to the solution in Butte County will enhance the CA 9-1-1 Branch’s ability to compare the feature functionality of both solutions and determine the best path forward.

Pasadena RING Project

On January 10, 2012, the CA 9-1-1 Branch participated in the Kick off meeting for the Pasadena RING Project. Implementation is expected to begin in the second quarter of this year. The first phase of the Pasadena RING Project will include Alhambra PD, Beverley Hills PD, Burbank PD, Glendale PD, Pasadena PD, San Fernando PD, Sierra Madre PD, and Verdugo Fire Department. This Project will be the first end to end turnkey network based NG9-1-1 solution implemented in California.

Ventura County Project

In Ventura County, Oxnard PD, Simi Valley PD, and Ventura County Sheriff are excited to be moving forward with the installation of their hosted project. Network build out for the Ventura Hosted Project has begun and PSAP implementation is expected to begin in the second quarter of 2012.

Mendocino County Project

The Mendocino County Project is comprised of three PSAPs – Mendocino County Sheriff, Ukiah PD, and Willits PD. The PSAPs, their consulting firm, and the CA 9-1-1 Branch have reviewed and evaluated the various responses to the Request for Information (RFI). The Project’s consulting firm will prepare recommendations to be submitted to the CA 9-1-1 Branch that outline the solution that best meets the needs of the participating PSAPs.

​NG9-1-1 PUBLIC MEETINGS

• ​CA Next Generation Public Meeting Notice
• NG9-1-1 Public Meeting Final Report (PDF)
• Compilation NG9-1-1 Public Meetings Video
• Redding, CA Public Meeting Video
• Sacramento, CA Public Meeting Video
• San Diego, CA Public Meeting Video
• Fresno, CA Public Meeting Video
• San Francisco Public Meeting Video
• Ontario, CA Public Meeting Video

Enhanced Technologies (VoIP, MLTS, etc.)

Deployment Diagrams

• CA 9-1-1 Comparison of Call Types

Internet Protocol (IP)/Video Relay Services (VRS) E9-1-1

• Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Information

• FCC Mandates

Multi Line Telephone System (MLTS) E9-1-1

• Multi-Line Telephone System (MLTS) Local 9-1-1 Agency Contact List

• MLTS Brochure

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) E9-1-1

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) is becoming an alternative to traditional phone service and the goal of the CA E9-1-1 VoIP Deployment is to get the registered location information of a VoIP user to the most appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP) via statewide standards using the 9-1-1 network.

The California 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Branch is the primary contact to coordinate the deployment in accordance to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate 05-116A1 issued 5/20/2005. Specifically, VoIP i2 specifies that VoIP Service Providers (VSPs) shall route their calls into the 9-1-1 network and send the registered user location information to a designated PSAP.

Most VSPs will work with a database provider known as a Voice Positioning Center (VPC) and have access to the 9-1-1 network via an Emergency Services Gateway (ESGW). VPCs are used to store and update registered user location information and then provide the information to the PSAPs when a 9-1-1 call is made. ESGWs are those entities, typically Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), that provide the connection interface into the 9-1-1 network.

Our mission, together with the local exchange carriers, PSAPs, VSPs, VPCs, and ESGWs, on this deployment is to implement the best "comparable E9-1-1" service for the VoIP user that calls 9-1-1 in California and keep the network reliable and dependable.

For questions specific to the VoIP deployment, email Donna Pena at donna.pena@CalOES.ca.gov or contact her at (916) 657-6116.

• VoIP Brochure

CA VOIP E9-1-1 DEPLOYMENT INFORMATION (FOR VSPS, VPCS, ESGWS)

• CA VoIP E9-1-1 Network Connectivity Process Flow
• CA VoIP E9-1-1 Acceptance Test Criteria
• CA VoIP E9-1-1 Deployment Flow Chart

CA VOIP E9-1-1 PSAP & COUNTY COORDINATOR INFORMATION

• VoIP E9-1-1 GIS Shape File Recommendations
• CA VoIP Important PSAP Information
• CA VoIP 9-1-1 Office Memo 06-01 Deployment of VoIP in California PSAPs
• CA VoIP E9-1-1 i2 ALI Display
• CA Telematics E9-1-1 ALI Display

Wireless E9-1-1

In accordance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Order 94-102, the California 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Branch has launched a project to implement enhanced 9-1-1 services (Wireless E9-1-1) for wireless telephone users throughout California. Project objectives include preparing all California public safety answer points (PSAPs) to accommodate the information to be delivered by wireless carriers under Phase I and Phase II of the Order. Phase I specifies that the telephone number and receiving cell site or sector of the 9-1-1 caller be delivered to the PSAP. Phase II adds a more precise location, (usually with 50-100 meter accuracy or better) in the form of latitude/longitude coordinates, to the Phase I information.

A major emphasis of the wireless project is the redistribution of statewide wireless 9-1-1 call volumes to local PSAPs. Currently a limited number of California Highway Patrol (CHP) communication centers handle the overwhelming majority of wireless 9-1-1 calls. To accommodate these routing changes, new legislation was passed in 2000 (Assembly Bill 1263) and signed into law, effective January 1, 2001. This will allow approximately 500 local PSAPs to assist the 24 CHP communication centers in handling the estimated 8 million wireless 9-1-1 calls made in California each year.

For questions specific to the Wireless E9-1-1 Project please contact Jim Thompson at (916) 657- 9236 or jim.thompson@CalOES.ca.gov.

• 2017 Official Totals with Visual Stats Slides
• 2017 Official Call Total Breakdown Spreadsheet
• 2017 Primary and Secondary 9-1-1 Call Breakdown
• Wireless Brochure
• CA State Auditor, Bureau of State Audits, Wireless Enhanced 911 Report  
• Phase II Wireless ALI (W-ALI) Display
• Phase II Wireless ALI Field Parameters

• ALI Format 04 w/ Positions

WIRELESS E9-1-1 FAQS

• General
• Specific
• Technical
  

​Grants

E9-1-1 Grant Information

​As you may have heard, the E–911 grant program was authorized under the Ensuring Needed Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 911 (ENHANCE 911) Act of 2004 (Pub. L. 108–494, codified at 47 U.S.C. 942). The grants were available to all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. territories. The Act authorizes grants for the implementation and operation of Phase II enhanced 911 services and for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network.

To qualify for the grant, an applicant had to submit a State 9-1-1 plan and budget for implementation of Phase II Wireless Enhanced Services or for migration to an IP-enabled emergency network. The minimum grant award for California was $2,841,352.

The State of California 9-1-1 Office applied for these grant funds to be used as building blocks for a new IP-enabled Next Generation 9-1-1 Network in California. The deadline for applying for this grant was August 4, 2009, with the Notice of Award to be made no later than September 30, 2009.

As part of our application response, the 9-1-1 Office has identified the northeastern portion of California for the initial implementation to address some major issues concerning remote areas within our state, while at the same time addressing the current wireless routing issues within California. The intent is to implement a solution there, and develop a process that can be rolled out to the remainder of the counties statewide. A Request For Information (RFI) that describes the project is available below.

On September 25th, 2009 the State 9-1-1 Office was notified by US DOT and US DOC that California had been awarded $4,346,352 for the implementation of an IP-enabled Next Generation 9-1-1 Network.

This is a very significant and monumental step in moving the network to an IP-enabled infrastructure that helps meet the needs of wireless call routing, PSAP survivability, and reduction in network costs. In addition to solving these issues, this project will become the foundation that will enable all Californians access to public emergency services from any personal communications device, regardless of mobility or technology!

We are very excited about the possibilities that this project presents for all PSAPs in California. We look forward to continuing the close working relationship we have developed with you, and are excited about working together on this new project.