It seems like only yesterday E9-1-1 was the new thing in emergency communications centers, and many agencies continue to struggle with implementation. Regardless, technology continues to move forward. Every day, I'm bombarded with offers to update myself. According to my pre-teen, my cell phone, which sends and receives voice transmissions, is so 1990s. Thank goodness my need to order pizza before getting home does not depend on current technology, or represent a life or death situation. Unfortunately, the ability to communicate with cutting-edge technology can be an emergency. In the aftermath of the Virginia Tech massacre and the Minneapolis I-35W bridge collapse, citizens barraged policymakers and law enforcement professionals with questions about why they couldn't reach 9-1-1 by text or with digital imaging. In response, Next Generation 9-1-1 and the NG 9-1-1 Initiative sprung to the forefront of emergency communications discussion.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation's (USDOT) Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), today's 9-1-1 includes:

• Primarily voice calls via telephone, teletype calls used by hearing-impaired citizens, and an increasing number of voice calls over the internet.
• Minimal data with the call, optimally containing caller ID and location.
• No "long-distance" 9-1-1 access.

NG 9-1-1 has:

• Voice, text or video emergency calling from any communications device via Internet-like networks.
• Advanced data from personal safety devices.
• "Long distance" access and transfer and improved interoperability.

USDOT ITS states text, data, images and video in personal communications devices are "critical" and explains the 9-1-1 system incorporated in the 1970s did not address the issues of a wireless, mobile society. The NG 9-1-1 Initiative is designed to bring emergency communications into the 21st century. The Initiative's phases include policies and implementation, as well as describing and documenting the framework of communication.

In a January 2007, "State of the City" address, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced, "this year, we'll begin a revolutionary innovation in crime-fighting: equipping 9-1-1 call centers to receive digital images and videos New Yorkers send from cell phones and computers, something no other city in the world is doing." New York might not be the only city looking to revolutionize their emergency communications centers. According to Greg Sheehan, Director of Marketing of PowerPhone, Inc, a Connecticut-based company offering software compatible with this purpose, "We are in discussion with several large agencies. We are hoping to set up a test site shortly."