WY US Senator John Barrasso Trying To Get Upgrades For 911 Call Centers In National Parks

U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) recently introduced the Safer Parks Act to update 911 emergency call centers inside the National Park System (NPS).

The bill would direct the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop a plan to upgrade NPS 911 call centers with Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology.

Implementing NG911 technology would enable NPS call centers to receive text messages, images, and video submissions in addition to traditional phone calls.

This capability can improve the speed and accuracy of dispatched emergency responders in locating and assisting callers in need of emergency aid.

Additionally, in the event of any natural disaster or technical issue, the updated call centers would be equipped to forward 911 calls and messages to any working call center until they become operational again.

“With attendance at our national parks increasing every year, it’s important that our public safety technology keeps up with demand,” said Barrasso. “Our bill updates and modernizes 911 call centers across our national parks. It gives our first responders better tools to do their jobs and ensures visitors who may need assistance can be reached in an accurate and timely manner. This is a much-needed update to improve the safety of visitors to our national parks.”

The _Safer Parks Act _would:

Direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior to:

* Complete an assessment of current call centers at national parks and the estimated cost of implementing NG911 technology across the National Park System.

* Develop a plan based on the assessment to install NG911 systems at identified points in the National Park System. This plan must include consultation with state and local emergency operations and stakeholders, as well as relevant federal agencies to ensure its successful implementation.

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