The National Emergency Number Association and the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials International will work together on next-generation 911 migration and transition planning. Their agreement outlines current activities of both organizations related to NG911 and how the organizations plan to work together on activities geared toward modernizing the 911 systems.

“It is essential that NENA and APCO share the same vision of next-generation 911 and emergency communications, and that we all work together in the spirit of collaboration and cooperation,” said NENA President Jason Barbour.

The two associations have outlined a framework for information sharing, acknowledged areas of overlap and organizational expertise. They have identified the scope of each group's transition initiatives — NENA's Next Generation Transition Planning Committee and APCO's Project 41. The chair of Project 41 will be a member of NENA's committee and will serve on its leadership group. Leaders of NENA's committee will serve on the Project 41 committee. Both work groups and committees will develop project plans that maximize the opportunity for input from both organizations, recognizing their special interest, focus and capabilities. Finally, the two organizations agreed to share the output from the respective committees and actively solicit input from the other organizations to refine and evolve the effort.

“The future of 911 is one of the most significant issues facing public safety in the U.S.,” said APCO President Wanda McCarley.