FOR RELEASE:

Report Finds Progress On Enhanced 911 Across State,
Notes Diversion Of E911 Surcharge Revenues For Budget Relief

Emergency services agencies in an increasing number of areas in New York State have the capability to pinpoint the location of a cell phone user who calls ‘911’ for help, but the state continues to divert for budget relief more than 40 percent of the revenues from a cell phone surcharge earmarked for expanding such capability, according to a report released today by State Comptroller Alan G. Hevesi.

“Expansion of ‘enhanced 911’ (E911) service around the state is good news for all New Yorkers, because it helps emergency service providers to quickly locate and get help to those in danger,” Hevesi said. “However, under pending federal legislation, New York must stop diverting any E911 surcharge revenues to the General Fund for budget relief or the state may be ineligible for future federal funding to support enhanced 911.”

State auditors found that 21 counties in New York State now have what is known as Phase II capability, up from just one county in 2002, when the Office of the State Comptroller (OSC) last released a report on E911. Phase II capability means that – once all cell phone service providers make necessary technological upgrades – emergency services can pinpoint a cell phone caller’s location within 50 to 100 meters in most cases, even if the caller is unable to speak. Another 36 counties and New York City, however, still need to implement Phase II capability in order to comply with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) directive that Phase II capability be in place nationwide by December 31, 2005, but the report states that most plan to have it in place by that time.

Auditors reported that 41.7 percent of cell phone E911 surcharge revenues from August 1, 2002 through June 30, 2003 -- $40,800,114 – was deposited into the state’s General Fund. The remainder – $57,041,886 – went into the Statewide Public Safety Communications Account, which was initially set up solely to fund development of and improvements to E911 systems around New York State. The report notes that, under state legislation enacted in 2002, funds from the Account can now also be used for homeland security measures including detection of, prevention of, response to and recovery from terrorist acts and threats.

The New York State 911 Board oversees statewide implementation of E911 systems, promulgating minimum standards for the public safety answering points (PSAPs) that receive emergency calls, developing operational protocols and monitoring progress and compliance in developing E911 capabilities. The report states that the Board should help state-run and local PSAPs plan for future funding needs by preparing a statewide assessment of anticipated costs for E911 implementation.

The federal Enhanced 911 Emergency Act of 2003, already approved by the U.S. House of Representatives, would make $500 million in matching grants available each year for enhanced 911. However, the legislation stipulates that revenues generated by surcharges on cell phone users can only be used to improve E911 infrastructure, and states that divert funds collected from consumers for 911 improvements to other purposes would be ineligible for the federal matching funds.

“Cell phones are a fact of life today and one of the most common reasons to have a cell phone is in case of emergency, so we must not delay in making the technological improvements to ensure that a cell phone user who calls 911 can be located,” Hevesi said. “New York State has made some progress on this matter, but there are important steps that must be taken now to make more funding available and to put these vital emergency services upgrades in place throughout the state as soon as possible.”

Click here for a copy of the report.

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