Public safety answering points are adapting to call-volume changes from the coronavirus and adjusting internal procedures to keep call takers healthy, 911 officials said in interviews this month. The New York City Fire Department Bureau of Emergency Medical Services (FDNY EMS) is having “record call volume,” Deputy Commissioner Frank Dwyer emailed.

Polaris Wireless CEO Manlio Allegra spoke with Public Safety Bureau staff on the FCC’s November vertical accuracy order for wireless calls to 911 (see 1911220034). The meeting was at the request of the bureau on the company's software for 3-meter z-axis accuracy, said a filing posted Friday in docket 07-114. "That outcome is conditioned on the premise that the Commission makes clear that the April 2021 deadline is ... firm."

FCBA moved more events online only, due to COVID-19 (see 2003090062): "CLEs that were planned in April and May will be held, as planned, but will be done entirely via the web." Online "events will help bring our members who live outside Washington closer than ever," President Josh Turner wrote in the group’s April newsletter, released Tuesday. "From a financial standpoint, I want to reassure you the organization is in good shape." Upcoming CLEs are on robocalls, citizens broadband radio service and 5G, 911 reliability and small cells.

The Boulder Emergency Telephone Service Authority fired back at industry opponents of its petition (see 1912270038) asking the FCC to reconsider part of the rules commissioners approved in November requiring carriers provide height above ellipsoid data from wireless calls to 911, within 3 meters accuracy for 80 percent of calls, starting in the largest markets in April 2021 (see 1911220034). BRETSA said more-accurate data is possible. The authority is “frustrated and disappointed at the time and money wasted in pursuit of the pipe-dream of ‘Dispatchable Location’ defined as ‘the right door to kick-in’ based on WiFi and Bluetooth emitters,” said a filing posted Tuesday in docket 07-114. “First Responders and innocent members of the public have been killed and injured as a result of swatting incidents and police raids inadvertently conducted at an incorrect address.”

Environmental Systems Research Institute representatives spoke with FCC Public Safety Bureau staff on the capabilities of 3D software and data relative to better vertical location accuracy of wireless calls to 911. Software can do geocoding and 3D data extrusion, ESRI said. “Creation of a 3D base map by a federal entity at a national level would result in cost-savings from both lidar and parcel based vendors, and would ease in standardization and adoption.” The filing was posted Monday in docket 11-117.

AT&T is reviewing and will respond to a proposed $3.75 million fine for not providing next-generation 911 in California, a spokesperson said Thursday. A California Public Utilities Commission administrative law judge said the telco showed “willful disregard” of its public safety obligation (see 2004020058).

AT&T faces a $3.75 million fine for “willful disregard” of the “obligation to ensure the public’s safety,” California Public Utilities Commission Administrative Law Judge Karl Bemesderfer wrote in a proposed decision Thursday in docket 18-03-011. AT&T must file next-generation 911 tariffs by April 22 or the fine increases to $7.5 million “and will continue to accumulate interest and late payment penalties.” Any appeal is due before May 4 when it becomes final. AT&T said in January the agency can’t force it to provide NG-911 (see 2001070008). The carrier didn’t comment Thursday.

Executives spoke with the FCC Public Safety Bureau staff about NextNav building a “highly accurate vertical location network,” said a filing posted Thursday in docket 07-114: “NextNav is deploying its infrastructure in more than one hundred cellular market areas." The company said the FCC should reject any effort by carriers to revise rules requiring they provide height above ellipsoid data from wireless calls to 911, within 3 meters accuracy for 80 percent of calls, starting in the largest markets in April 2021 (see 2003230059): “Most wireless handsets (and nearly all smartphones) that include barometric pressure sensors, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities are already z-axis capable.”

FCC Commissioner Mike O’Rielly urged leaders from the House and Senate Commerce committees Thursday to ensure states that use 911 fees for other purposes are barred from receiving funding for next-generation 911 projects that might be included in the next legislative package addressing COVID-19. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts and 34 other Senate Democrats pressed Capitol Hill leaders to include “at least” $2 billion in additional E-rate funding. Signers include Senate Communications Subcommittee ranking member Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California and other Democratic leaders want to include infrastructure funding, citing President Donald Trump's interest (see 2004010071).

House Democratic leaders said Wednesday they plan to move forward on infrastructure funding legislation as part of the next package addressing COVID-19 when the chamber reconvenes, citing President Donald Trump’s recent interest. Trump said Tuesday he wants the next bill to include $2 trillion in infrastructure spending (see 2003310070). Democrats’ calls for broadband funding to be a part of the next bill have grown since Congress passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (HR-748) last week (see 2003260063).