"Let's Evolve 911" Campaign Commemorates 911's Past While Looking Ahead to an Exciting Future

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (February 16, 2018)—Mission Critical Partners (MCP) today announced the launch of the “Let’s Evolve 911” campaign, which coincides with the 50^th anniversary of the first emergency call placed in the United States using the 911 code. That call was placed by Alabama Senator Rankin Fite on February 16, 1968, in Haleyville, Alabama.

The launching of 911 service was a watershed moment for public safety. Today’s 911 systems answer more than 240 million calls every year. Telecommunicators, the “first” first responders, are helping to save millions of lives that could have been lost had this vital service not been implemented.

While the progress achieved is noteworthy, the 911 sector has reached another inflection point. Today, more than 80 percent of 911 calls originate from mobile phones, yet text-to-911 service is unavailable in most of the U.S. and wireless phone location accuracy is often inaccurate. There are an increasing number of additional, virtually untapped sources of information—for example, social media, crowd-sourcing applications and sensor technologies—that if harnessed, could generate massive amounts of actionable data that could significantly enhance emergency response process, and even transition public safety from being primarily reactive to, in some cases, proactive.

MCP launched the “Let’s Evolve 911” campaign not only to celebrate the sector’s impressive past, but more importantly to shine a light on where it is heading next. The campaign is designed to honor the impressive milestones already achieved and, more importantly, better prepare the sector for the opportunities that lie ahead. The campaign will unfold over the next six months and will feature a variety of resources available at letsevolve911.com. Among these resources are:

• An infographic outlining the most critical milestones of the past 50 years
• A 60-minute webinar, scheduled for February 27 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern, entitled, “50 Years of 911… What’s Next?”
• Insights from some of the 911 sector’s early adopters on where the industry is headed
• Articles discussing insights and achievements that are propelling the industry forward
• An opportunity for 911 professionals, as well as the public, to discuss the possibilities for 911’s future

“THE 911 SECTOR HAS MUCH TO BE PROUD OF IN ITS FIRST HALF CENTURY, BUT WHAT LIES AHEAD IS NOT ONLY EXCITING, IT’S GAME-CHANGING, FOR BOTH THE SECTOR AND THE PUBLIC IT SERVES,” SAID KEVIN MURRAY, MCP’S CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND COFOUNDER. “WE’RE EAGER TO HELP THE SECTOR WRITE THE NEXT CHAPTERS OF ITS EVOLUTION BECAUSE THE MISSION—SAVING LIVES—MATTERS.”

Since 2009, MCP subject-matter experts have worked closely with public safety entities on numerous projects that are advancing the state of 911 service across the United States, work that is continuing. These projects include the implementation of Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems for nine states and hundreds of local agencies, supporting the deployment of text-to-911 services at the regional and statewide level, and providing guidance to four states regarding the nationwide public safety broadband network (NPSBN), which is being implemented under the auspices of the First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet), and its commercial partner, AT&T.

These projects, and others like them, continue the rich legacy of evolution and disruptive innovation that the 911 sector has enjoyed since its inception.

About Mission Critical Partners (MCP)

Mission Critical Partners (MCP) is a professional services and co-managed and IT services firm that helps clients enhance and evolve their public safety systems and operations through our extensive experience, knowledge and resources. By providing insight and support every step of the way, our clients are able to transform their mission-critical operations, maximizing the value of their investments and ensuring optimal performance and success. Additional information and career opportunities are available at www.MissionCriticalPartners.com.