Adequacy of Ohio's 9-1-1 system questioned

ColoComm Research LLC will be releasing a report next week that details its findings on the adequacy of the nation's 9-1-1 system, including the situation in Ohio (Source: "Ohio 9-1-1 System Facing Critical Funding Challenges Cited in National Report on Health of Country's 9-1-1 System," Press Release, The Earth Times, May 8, 2008).  On May 14th, Ohio State Representatives Larry Flowers and Steve Driehauss, along with county officials and members of the 9-1-1 Industry Alliance will discuss the importance of these findings for Ohio.

According to preliminary information on the report's findings, a critical lack of funding in Ohio threatens the state's ability to complete its Phase II wireless initiative.  Ohio's wireless initiative's purpose is to make sure that Ohio's 9-1-1 capacity can pinpoint the exact location of any wireless caller.

Representative Flowers, a supporter of continued funding for this effort, states that “The health of Ohio’s 9-1-1 system is already marginal and without funding experts say it will be terminal.  Currently, if you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, the technology needed to find you may not be in place. If funding is not secured, how many Ohioans are being put at risk"

Representatives Flowers and Driehauss have introduced House Bill 550 to continue funding for this initiative and extend the Sunset provision for the project by an additional three years.  Without this extension, the funding source for this effort will expire at the end of 2008.