Public safety leaders warn that the House-passed bill lacks critical support for upgrading outdated 911 systems, calling the omission a threat to emergency response and community safety

By Bill Carey for Police1.com
A coalition of public safety leaders, emergency response professionals and industry groups has called on the Senate Commerce Committee to include critical funding for Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology in President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” according to APCO International.

In a letter sent on June 5, the coalition voiced concern over the recent passage of legislation in the House of Representatives that omitted funding for upgrades to the nation’s aging emergency communications systems, despite years of bipartisan support for using Federal Communications Commission spectrum auction revenues for that purpose.

“Current 911 systems rely on technologies that are decades old,” the letter stated. “These systems are less reliable, less secure and more challenging to maintain while attempting to meet the expanding needs of emergency responders and citizens who need their help.”

While the groups acknowledged the bill’s intent to reduce spending, they emphasized that modernizing 911 systems is vital to national defense. They noted that despite increased funding for defense and border security, the bill fails to provide support for local emergency communications.

The signatories warned that outdated 911 systems leave communities vulnerable to cyberattacks and major threats, citing failures such as the FAA’s technology issues and emphasizing that delays could result in lost lives.

The signatories are:

Bill Carey
Bill Carey
Bill Carey is the associate editor for FireRescue1.com and EMS1.com. A former Maryland volunteer firefighter, sergeant, and lieutenant, Bill has written for several fire service publications and platforms. His work on firefighter behavioral health garnered a 2014 Neal Award nomination. His ongoing research and writings about line-of-duty death data is frequently cited in articles, presentations, and trainings. Have a news tip? He can be reached at news@lexipol.com.