The legislative hearing focused on modernizing public safety communications in the United States through bipartisan bills aimed at upgrading outdated 911 systems, improving wireless emergency alerts, and enhancing outage reporting. Lawmakers and witnesses emphasized the urgency of deploying Next Generation 911 technology nationwide to enable real-time data sharing, interoperability, and cybersecurity, while addressing funding challenges that leave rural communities behind. Discussions highlighted the role of satellite connectivity and AI in strengthening resiliency and accessibility, as well as the need for clear standards, training, and multilingual alerts to ensure timely, effective communication during emergencies. The hearing underscored that reliable, modern infrastructure is critical for saving lives and supporting first responders in crises.
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Mary Jo Flynn-Nevins
IAEM Second Vice President
Chief of Emergency Services
Sacramento County OES, McClellan CA
(916) 874-4671
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