State 911 Program

Portion taken from OEM (7 July 2000)

Program Overview

The 9-1-1 program was established by the 1981 Oregon Legislature to ensure the operation of a statewide enhanced 9-1-1 system. The program is responsible for the coordination and management of functions involving consulting and assisting local government in their participation in a statewide 9-1-1 emergency reporting system. The program is funded through the Emergency Communications Tax, which is 75¢ for any line capable of accessing 9-1-1 services, and is collected by all providers of local telecommunication access. Of the 75¢ that is collected, 50¢ is returned to cities and counties for distribution to local 9-1-1 jurisdictions, which operate local 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). The remaining 25¢ is administered through the State 9-1-1 Program, and is expended for direct payments to vendors for the operation of Enhanced 9-1-1. These costs are network, database, enhanced telephone systems, and maintenance costs.

Border to Border Enhanced 9-1-1 Services

This project was initiated by the 1991 Legislature, and managed and completed on schedule, prior to January 1, 2000, under the direction of Ken Keim, Section Director Technology and Response Services. There are currently 56 Primary Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) serving Oregon's 3.3 million residents with 9-1-1 services. During this project each of these PSAPs was updated with the latest computer/telephony integrated systems for 9-1-1 call processing. These systems are capable of being upgraded with further technological advancements with software and card replacements rather than complete hardware replacement. This equipment allows for faster 9-1-1 call processing by the operator and faster receipt of Automatic Number Identification (ANI) and Automatic Location Identification (ALI).

PSAP Connectivity

Each PSAP is connected to a statewide frame relay network, which delivers ALI at a faster speed than conventional methods. This connectivity also has the ability to deliver LEDS (law enforcement data system) information over the same circuit resulting in cost savings to the PSAP. Oregon is also providing FCC Phase I wireless services statewide for multiple carriers. This service provides cell site location and call back number of the wireless caller to the PSAP. Oregon is the only state in the country currently utilizing this service from multiple wireless carriers statewide. The 9-1-1 Program continues to negotiate Phase I contracts with the remaining wireless carriers in Oregon...

Read the rest of the program overview at Oregon Emergency Management.