Phoenix, AZ – Senator Dean Martin, Co-Chair of the 9-1-1 Committee, has called for an assessment of the current state of emerg

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Phoenix, AZ – The Arizona Legislature went back to work yesterday, the day after the tragic events in New York, Washington DC, & Pennsylvania.

Senator Dean Martin & Representative Bob Robson, Co-Chairs of the 9-1-1 Committee, called the meeting to order at 10am. In a poignant bit of irony, the first official business of the Arizona Senate was a previously scheduled meeting of the 9-1-1 system study committee.

This committee was formed to look into the status of the 9-1-1 system and make recommendations about upgrading the 9-1-1 system, including enhanced services for cellular phones. Chairman Senator Dean Martin said, “We cannot overstate the importance of wireless technology. We have all heard the stories of people trapped in the World Trade Center calling out on cell phones, and the people on the doomed airlines who have provided needed details about the hijackings. Wireless communications are becoming a larger part of the daily 9-1-1 system. Cell phone calls constitute up to 30%-35%, and in some areas up to 60%, of total calls to 9-1-1 in the state of Arizona.”

The system, called Enhanced 911, or E911, was proposed in Federal Law in 1996. In 1998, carriers were supposed to have the first phase in place, which would help police learn a cell phone caller's phone number and the nearest cell site. That was for an area anywhere within 1 to 5 miles. But the next phase would locate a cell phone caller within 100 yards

“I cannot think of a more appropriate subject for our government to address, the day after our nation was attacked. Arizona was fortunate yesterday not to have been targeted, but Tuesday’s attack showed us we must be ready for the unthinkable. The old saying ‘It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it’ is very applicable when it comes to increasing the capabilities of our emergency services,” said Senator Martin.

The 9-1-1 Committee will now send working groups to PSAP’s (Public Safety Answering Points) in Maricopa and Pima counties to personally evaluate the capabilities of emergency services. The Committee will then make recommendations which will provide guidance for the use of new funds appropriated in the last legislative session. These recommendations may also lead to legislation in the next legislative session.