The Nation’s 911 System
911 service is a vital part of our nation's emergency response and disaster preparedness system. In October 1999, the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (911 Act) took effect with the purpose of improving public safety by encouraging and facilitating the prompt deployment of a nationwide, seamless communications infrastructure for emergency services. One provision of the 911 Act directs the FCC to make 911 the universal emergency number for all telephone services.
The FCC has taken a number of steps to increase public safety by encouraging and coordinating development of a nationwide, seamless communications system for emergency services. The FCC has designed and established transition periods to bring the nation's communications infrastructure into compliance.
In order to deliver emergency help more quickly and effectively, the carriers and public safety entities are upgrading the 911 network on a regular basis. For example, most 911 systems now automatically report the telephone number and location of 911 calls made from wireline phones, a capability called Enhanced 911, or E911.
The FCC also requires wireless telephone carriers to provide 911 and E911 capability, where a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) requests it. Once it is implemented fully, wireless E911 will provide an accurate location for 911 calls from wireless phones.
Other FCC rules regulate 911 for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), mobile satellite services, telematics, and Text Telephone Devices (TTYs). The 911 requirements are an important part of FCC programs to apply modern communications technologies to public safety.
911 Regulations – 47 C.F.R. Part 9
911 History
The Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 (911 Act) took effect on October 26, 1999. The purpose of the 911 Act is to improve public safety by encouraging and facilitating the prompt deployment of a nationwide, seamless communications infrastructure for emergency services.
One provision of the 911 Act directs the FCC to make 911 the universal emergency number for all telephone services. Where other emergency numbers had been used, the FCC was directed to establish appropriate transition periods for areas in which 911 was not in use as an emergency telephone number.
State and local authorities continue to expand 911 coverage and upgrade 911 services. Although there may be some counties that still do not have basic 911 services, wireless carriers can deliver 911 calls to the appropriate local emergency authority.
Based on these reports, virtually all carriers now use 911 as the universal emergency number and route 911 calls to an appropriate PSAP. However, emergency services through a PSAP may not be available in all localities.
911 Master Public Safety Answering Point Registry
In December 2003, the FCC began collecting data to build a registry of public safety answering points (PSAPs). A primary PSAP is defined as a PSAP to which 911 calls are routed directly from the 911 Control Office, such as, a selective router or 911 tandem. A secondary PSAP is defined as a PSAP to which 911 calls are transferred from a primary PSAP. The PSAP database serves as a tool to aid the Commission in evaluating the state of PSAP readiness and E911 deployment.
Download the FCC Master PSAP Registry File, (xlsx) | (csv)
Last updated October 31, 2024
Note: The PSAP Registry now includes a column indicating the date on which individual PSAP information was modified.
The Registry lists PSAPs by an FCC assigned identification number, PSAP Name, State, County, City, and provides information on any type of record change and the reason for updating the record. For further information concerning the FCC's Master PSAP Registry and carrier reporting requirements, or to notify the Commission of changes to the PSAP Registry, please send an email to fccpsapregistryupdate@fcc.gov.
Enhanced 911 - Wireless Services
The FCC's wireless Enhanced 911 (E911) rules seek to improve the effectiveness and reliability of wireless 911 services by providing 911 dispatchers with additional information on wireless 911 calls. The FCC's wireless E911 rules apply to all wireless licensees, broadband Personal Communications Service (PCS) licensees, and certain Specialized Mobile Radio (SMR) licensees.
The FCC has divided its wireless E911 program into two parts - Phase I and Phase II. Under Phase I, the FCC requires carriers, within six months of a valid request by a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP), to provide the PSAP with the telephone number of the originator of a wireless 911 call and the location of the cell site or base station transmitting the call.
Under Phase II, the FCC requires wireless carriers, within six months of a valid request by a PSAP, to begin providing information that is more precise to PSAPs, specifically, the latitude and longitude of the caller. This information must meet FCC accuracy standards, generally to within 50 to 300 meters, depending on the type of technology used. The deployment of E911 requires the development of new technologies and upgrades to local 911 PSAPs, as well as coordination among public safety agencies, wireless carriers, technology vendors, equipment manufacturers, and local wireline carriers.
Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act
In August 2019, the Commission adopted rules to implement Kari’s Law, which requires multi-line telephone systems (MLTS) – such as those used by hotels and campuses – to allow users to dial 911 directly, without having to dial a prefix such as a “9” to reach an outside line. To facilitate building entry by first responders, Kari’s Law also requires MLTS to provide notification to a central location for the facility where the MLTS is installed, such as a front desk or security office, when a 911 call is made.
Also in August 2019, pursuant to Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act, the Commission adopted rules to ensure that “dispatchable location” information, such as the street address, floor level, and room number of a 911 caller, is conveyed with 911 calls so that first responders can more quickly locate the caller. The new rules require the provision of dispatchable location information, to the extent technically feasible, with 911 calls from MLTS, as well as with 911 calls from fixed telephony, interconnected Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, Internet-based Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS), and mobile text service.
Additional information on the direct dialing and notification requirements for 911 calls from MLTS can be found on the MLTS web page.
Additional information on the dispatchable location requirements for 911 calls from MLTS, fixed telephony, interconnected VoIP, TRS, and mobile text can be found on the Dispatchable Location web page.
Annual Reports on the Collection and Use of 911 Fees
The New and Emerging Technologies 911 Improvement Act of 2008 (NET 911 Act) requires the Commission to submit an annual report to Congress on the collection and distribution of 911 and Enhanced 911 fees and charges by the states, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and Tribal Nations (states and other reporting entities). As part of its annual review, the NET 911 Act requires the Commission to report whether 911 fees and charges collected by states and other reporting entities are being used for any purpose other than to support 911 and Enhanced 911 (E911) services. The Commission formally solicits public comment on the Report, the information provided to the Commission by states and other reporting entities, and the reported expenditure of funds for Next Generation 911 (NG911) services. 911 Reports and Reporting Jurisdiction Filings
Consumer Information
The official emergency number in the United States and Canada is 911. Although the first 911 call was placed in Haleyville, Alabama in 1968, it was not until 1999 that the United States Congress directed the FCC to make 911 the universal emergency number in the United States for all telephone services. The 911 network is now a vital part of our nation's emergency response and disaster preparedness system. Emergency personnel and others often learn about emergencies through 911 calls. Dialing 911 quickly connects a caller to a nearby Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) dispatcher who is trained to route your call to local emergency medical, fire, and law enforcement agencies.
911 lines are designated for emergency calls, such as reporting a crime in progress, reporting a fire, or requesting an ambulance.
Using 911 for non-emergency calls may delay help for people caught in real emergencies. Some communities have designated the number 3-1-1 for non-emergency calls to police and other government services.
911 Releases
- November 19, 2024
PSHSB Provides Implementation Guidance for NG911 Rules - July 18, 2024
FCC Takes Action to Expedite the Transition to Next Generation 911 - March 14, 2024
PSHSB Announces Effective Compliance Date of Wireless 911 Calls Order - September 9, 2022 - Public Notice
Annual 911 Reliability Certification Window Opens Now - September 30, 2021 - Public Notice
FCC Proposes Safeguards To Shield 911 Call Centers From Disruptive Robocalls - August 17, 2021 - Public Notice
PSHSB Announces Effective Date of 911 Fee Diversion Rules - August 16, 2021 - Public Notice
911 Reliability Certification System Now Open - June 25, 2021 - Order
FCC Adopts Order to Address 911 Fee Diversion - April 22, 2021 - News Release
FCC Proposes Action to Improve 911 Reliability - March 23, 2021 - Report
Report to Congress on 911 Over WiFi - March 12, 2021 - Public Notice
PSHSB Announces Updated Text-to-911 Certification Form - March 3, 2021 - Public Notice
PSHSB Announces Comment Dates for 911 Fee Diversion NPRM - January 16, 2020 - Public Notice
PSHSB Announces Effective Date and Comment Cycle for Z-Axis Proceeding - December 2, 2019 - Erratum
Implementing Kari's Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM'S Act et al - November 25, 2019 - Report and Order
FCC Adopts Rules for Transmitting Vertical, or 'Z-Axis', Location Information with Wireless 911 Calls - August 2, 2019 - Report and Order
FCC Improves Access to 911 and Timely Assistance for First Responders - May 24, 2019 - Order
PSHSB Grants Multiple Waiver Request - April 4, 2019 - Public Notice
Comment and Reply Comment Dates Announced for Z-Axis E911 FNPRM - March 18, 2019 - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking
Wireless E911 Location Accuracy Requirements - January 2, 2019 - Public Notice
PSHSB Reminds CMRS Providers of January 18, 2019 E911 Phase II Deadline