UPDATE Seventeen members have been appointed to the FCC’s new 911 Strike Force. The advisory committee will meet for the first time on June 3.
In February, FCC Acting Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said the group would be formed and charged it with studying the problem of 911 fee diversion. That’s when states and localities use the money consumers pay on their phone bills for projects other than 911. The committee is to create recommendations and report to Congress on how to end the practice.
The group is led by Kelli Merriweather, Executive Director of the Texas Commission on State Emergency Communications, representing the National Association of State 911 Administrators as current Vice President and incoming President Vice-Chair. Steven Sharpe, EdD, Genesee County, NY Director of Emergency Communications, representing the New York State 911 Coordinators Association, is vice-chair.
“America’s 911 system needs an update for the digital age,” said Rosenworcel. “But as we’ve seen, 911 fee diversion can shortchange public safety by delaying those updates. I am happy that the Strike Force will soon be getting to work on ideas that will help ensure that the fees that American consumers pay to support 911 will go to 911.”
The 911 Strike Force must publish its findings by September 23. The Commission proposed new rules in February to address 911 fee diversion, Inside Towers reported.
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