This bill requires the Secretary of the Interior to assess and create a plan for installing Next Generation 911 systems in National Park System units, improving emergency response capabilities.
John Barrasso
Senator
WY
The "Making National Parks Safer Act" requires the Secretary of the Interior to assess and report on the status of Next Generation 911 systems in National Park System units' emergency communication centers. It directs the Secretary to develop a plan, in consultation with state, local, and federal stakeholders, to install and maintain Next Generation 911 systems in these units to improve emergency response capabilities, ensuring interoperability with other systems. A plan is not required for units where the superintendent determines sufficient Next Generation 911 systems have already been installed or are being installed.
National Parks Get Emergency Call Upgrade: New Bill Promises Next Generation 911
The "Making National Parks Safer Act" is all about bringing National Park emergency response into the 21st century. Basically, it's a mandate to upgrade 911 systems across all National Parks to what's called "Next Generation 911" (NG911). This means moving from old-school phone lines to a digital system that can handle texts, images, and even video – crucial in emergencies where every second counts.
Upgrading the Lifeline
This bill starts with a full check-up. Within a year, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the National Park Service Director) has to assess every emergency communication center in the National Park System (SEC. 3). They're looking at what's already in place, what needs upgrading, and how much it'll all cost, both to install and maintain. Think of it like a tech audit for park safety. They'll identify the status of Next Generation 911 system implementation, estimate purchase costs for centers not yet using these systems, and estimate the costs to maintain and operate these systems across all centers. The findings get reported to Congress and posted online, so there's transparency about the current state of things and any roadblocks to getting NG911 up and running.
Real-World Rescue
Imagine a hiker who takes a bad fall and can't speak clearly. With NG911, they could text their location and even send a photo of their surroundings. Park rangers get better info faster, which means quicker, more effective rescues. This isn't just about convenience; it's potentially life-saving. This also means better communication between park staff, visitors, and emergency responders, and it will ensure that the park services can communicate with state and local emergency services. For example, if there is a wildfire, park rangers can seamlessly coordinate with local fire departments.
Making it Work
Within a year of that report (SEC. 3(b)), the Secretary has to deliver a plan to install NG911 systems park-wide (SEC. 4), based on what the assessment found. A big piece of this is making sure the new systems can "talk" to state and local emergency services. The bill specifically requires consultation with state and local emergency operations officials, along with federal agencies like the Department of Commerce, the Department of Transportation, and the FCC (SEC. 4). No park gets left out unless their superintendent confirms they're already set up with NG911. Potential challenges include cost overruns during the upgrade process and possible difficulties in achieving full interoperability between federal, state, and local systems.
"Interoperability" (SEC. 2) is defined in the bill, and it is a big deal: it means any emergency center can share info with any other, no matter what equipment they use. This is critical for coordinating responses, especially in large-scale emergencies.