9/11 Commission Report Online: Congress Considers Digital Access

The Foundation of RapidSOS: Understanding 911

In the realm of user-interface design, the 911 system stands as a benchmark for effectiveness. As Steve Souder, a leading figure in 911 administration, notes, it is arguably the “most recognizable number in the United States.” Its functionality is characterized by simplicity, speed, and nationwide accessibility from any telephone.

Throughout the preceding sections of this EC-1 analysis on RapidSOS, the inherent reliability of 911 has been somewhat assumed. We’ve explored the company’s beginnings, its offerings, and its strategic alliances and growth initiatives.

The Vulnerability of a Vital System

It’s reasonable to question how such a critical system could be compromised. However, the reality is that America’s emergency call infrastructure faces significant challenges despite the dedicated efforts of countless 911 professionals.

For over ten years, advocates have championed the transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911). This upgrade aims to replace the current voice-based system with an internet-protocol based model centered on data transmission. Progress has been incremental, and widespread implementation remains elusive.

A report from the Congressional Research Service highlighted the primary obstacle: “funding has been a challenge, and progress has been relatively slow.” This assessment remains accurate even three years later.

The Interdependence of RapidSOS and 911

RapidSOS’s long-term success is intrinsically linked to the ability of the government to maintain and improve essential infrastructure. Therefore, this concluding part of the EC-1 will examine the present condition of 911 services, assess their future outlook, and ultimately, provide a comprehensive evaluation of RapidSOS based on our findings.

The future trajectory of RapidSOS, at least within the U.S. market, is heavily dependent on the evolution of the 911 system. International expansion offers a potential path to reduced reliance on the U.S. market, but that is still developing.

Key to understanding RapidSOS is recognizing its deep integration with the 911 network.

Challenges Facing NG911 Implementation

Funding Constraints: Securing adequate financial resources remains a major hurdle.
Slow Progress: The transition to NG911 has been gradual, lacking the speed needed for comprehensive coverage.
Systemic Brittleness: The current infrastructure, while supported by dedicated personnel, is inherently fragile.

A Legacy System: The Story of 911

The 911 emergency number originated in the late 1960s as an effort to create a unified national system for accessing emergency services. Prior to its implementation, various cities and states operated independent emergency lines, each with its own unique number and procedures. This fragmented approach presented significant challenges for travelers and individuals residing near jurisdictional boundaries.

A recommendation from President Lyndon Johnson’s 1967 crime task force spurred the development of a single emergency number as a crime prevention measure. Consequently, the inaugural 911 call was placed on February 16, 1968, in Haleyville, Alabama.

The Original Design: Voice-Centric Communication

Initially, the 911 system was conceived around voice communication. Callers would connect directly with a call taker, verbally conveying their location and the nature of the emergency. This voice interface proved to be adaptable and allowed for a dynamic exchange of information.

Importantly, the system enabled call takers to provide guidance and emotional support to individuals experiencing stressful situations while awaiting assistance.

The Evolving Landscape: A World of Connected Devices

Since the 1960s, the world has undergone a dramatic technological transformation, with the internet expanding from a limited network to a global infrastructure encompassing billions of devices. These devices now possess capabilities that can be invaluable during emergencies.

Smartphones, for example, offer GPS location services and access to personal health data, providing crucial context in medical crises. Similarly, home security systems can detect intrusions, and utility-based sensors can monitor wildfires, among numerous other applications.

The Future of 911: Beyond the Number

Souder, an advisor to RapidSOS, posits that the only aspect of the future 911 system that will remain unchanged is the number itself. He believes that technology will fundamentally reshape all other aspects of emergency response.

He further notes the unforeseen breadth of applications for platforms like RapidSOS, highlighting the transformative potential of technological advancements.

Current Limitations: A Reliance on Voice

Despite these advancements, the 911 system remains largely reliant on voice communication. Data from sources like home security systems, including live video feeds, are typically routed through a security operations center before being relayed to a public safety answering point (PSAP) via a human operator – essentially a modern-day game of telephone.

Incremental Improvements: Enhanced 911 (E911)

Over the years, there have been limited attempts to modernize the system. The FCC’s Enhanced 911 (E911) initiatives mandated that telecom companies provide approximate location data for mobile phone users, with a precision ranging from 50 to 300 meters.

While a useful interim solution, this level of accuracy is often insufficient for effective emergency response.

Next Generation 911 (NG911): A Data-Driven Approach

The more comprehensive solution lies in Next Generation 911 (NG911), a set of standards designed to transition 911 from traditional telephone calls to internet-based protocols capable of transmitting data. This would mirror the functionality of modern web applications.

For example, in the event of a home break-in, a security system could proactively provide a live video feed to both the call taker and responding police officers. Furthermore, critical health information could be automatically transmitted to paramedics, aiding in the treatment of individuals with specific medical conditions.

RapidSOS and the Transition to NG911

The adoption of NG911 would significantly enhance the utility of RapidSOS’s platform, as its capabilities expand with each PSAP that can accept richer data streams. This would enable the company to assist more individuals and strengthen its position in the emergency response market.

Many of RapidSOS’s current integrations and products can be viewed as workarounds designed to overcome the limitations of the existing voice-centric system.

The Roadblocks to Implementation: Funding Challenges

Despite the availability of established standards and mature technology, the widespread adoption of NG911 has been hampered by funding constraints. The necessary protocols have been developed and tested, with the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) recently publishing the third version of its i3 standard, ensuring interoperability between software and hardware.

However, securing adequate funding remains a significant obstacle to progress.

$9.11

The 911 system operates through a decentralized network of local agencies. These agencies are financed via taxation and, in some instances, a surcharge applied to telephone bills. Determining the precise number of Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) across the United States is challenging due to the system’s fragmented nature, necessitating detailed surveys conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Currently, approximately 5,700 individual agencies comprise this network. These call centers typically function with limited governmental funding, primarily allocated to personnel and upkeep. Significant capital investment is rare, with many 911 systems, especially in rural areas, still utilizing original hardware installed decades ago.

This situation has complicated the transition to Next Generation 911 (NG911). Modernizing these systems demands substantial investment in both new hardware and software, alongside comprehensive staff training. Agencies facing budgetary constraints struggle to secure the necessary large, one-time funding. Unlike infrastructure projects like roads and bridges, which can be financed through tolls, 911 services lack a direct usage fee, limiting funding options to government-backed general obligation bonds.

Furthermore, a concerning trend has emerged: the diversion of 911 fee revenue by state and local governments for purposes unrelated to emergency services. This issue has grown so critical that Congress recently tasked the FCC with establishing a task force to investigate the allocation of these funds.

However, progress is being made, as certain states and municipalities are proactively investing in NG911 infrastructure. The National 911 Program and the National Association of State 911 Administrators (NASNA) jointly publish annual reports detailing 911 usage. Their latest report, covering 2019, reveals that over 2,000 PSAPs now employ some form of IP-based infrastructure.

While this represents a significant milestone, it still accounts for only about one-third of all PSAPs nationwide. Industry consensus points to Congressional action as the primary driver of widespread change. For the past six years, Congress has debated establishing a dedicated fund for advancing 911 services.

The Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, spearheaded by Senators Amy Klobuchar and Richard Burr, and Representatives John Shimkus and Anna Eshoo, has consistently advocated for rapid investment. Experts indicate broad bipartisan support for such funding initiatives. Despite this support, final approval has remained elusive.

The urgency has intensified following the COVID-19 pandemic, which overwhelmed 911 centers with inquiries regarding coronavirus symptoms and appropriate responses. A $15 billion funding bill for NG911 investment is currently proposed within the LIFT America infrastructure bill, having passed the House with primarily Democratic support.

A distinctive feature of the proposed bill is the elimination of state or local matching fund requirements for federal 911 upgrade grants. This is an atypical provision, enabling municipalities nationwide to submit grant proposals – a crucial factor given the significant revenue losses experienced by local governments during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing NG911 standards suggest that upgrades could be implemented quickly, as many systems have already undergone testing and are prepared for deployment.

Industry lobbyists and trade associations express cautious optimism regarding the funding’s prospects. However, recent reports from Capitol Hill suggest that dedicated funding has not yet been incorporated into the final infrastructure bill currently under negotiation by Congressional leaders.

RapidSOS and the Future of Emergency Response

A preliminary examination of public records, including filings with relevant databases, indicates that RapidSOS has not yet engaged congressional lobbyists or contributed financially to federal political campaigns. This is somewhat unexpected, considering the potential impact of forthcoming appropriations on the company’s future growth.

Fortunately, progress towards modernizing emergency response systems, which has faced considerable delays, now appears to be accelerating. RapidSOS is well-positioned to capitalize on this evolving landscape.

Michael Martin, co-founder and CEO of RapidSOS, highlighted the collaborative effort and opportune timing that have contributed to the company’s success. He noted the widespread adoption of smartphones and connected devices as a key factor influencing the evolution of 911 services, a point equally relevant to Next Generation 911 (NG911).

The company appears to be strategically aligned with a pivotal moment in emergency technology – a generational shift representing only the second major advancement in 911 infrastructure in over fifty years. This advantageous positioning helps explain the significant venture capital investment RapidSOS has received recently.

RapidSOS embodies many characteristics of a traditional startup narrative. Martin and his co-founder, CTO Nick Horelik, have dedicated themselves to developing a system specifically tailored to the needs of this industry and the current technological environment.

Their journey has been marked by significant challenges, and it would likely have discouraged anyone lacking their unwavering determination. Ultimately, RapidSOS represents a combination of resilience, fortunate timing, and a strong commitment to improving emergency response capabilities. The system could ultimately prove life-saving for those in need.