Press Release
For immediate release
February 24, 2003
National E911 Leader Praises Congressional Caucus and Urges States to Pick Up the Pace
Washington, D.C. - Indiana State Treasurer Tim Berry was in Washington this week to show his support and offer assistance to the new E911 Congressional Caucus. Treasurer Berry also serves as Chairman of the Indiana Wireless E911 Advisory Board. In this role, Berry has positioned Indiana as a national leader in Wireless E911 implementation and continues to champion the need for universal E911 implementation.
"In an environment of heightened security interests and constantly changing threat levels, it is imperative that America strengthen its communication system. It is critical that citizens are able to reach 911 dispatchers in emergency situations when every second matters," stated Berry.
"I am excited to see Senators Burns and Clinton and Representatives Shimkus and Eshoo offer their national leadership to this very important public safety issue. Their commitment to safety and E911 will surely aid in bringing E911 issues to the American spotlight. I thank them for their leadership and offer them my full support and any assistance they may need," Berry continued.
Indiana is a national leader in the implementation of wireless E911 technology. In April of 1998 Indiana's Allen and Steuben Counties became the nation's first counties to accept Phase I calls. Lake County became the second in the nation to accept Phase II calls in November 2001. Now more than half of Indiana's 92 counties are equipped with Phase II technology to locate calls from wireless phones from at least one carrier.
Indiana State Treasurer Tim Berry is the only state-elected official in charge of wireless E911 technology. He is also a member of the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) and serves on NENA's Strategic Wireless Action Team (SWAT).
Berry and his colleagues are challenging states to expedite E911 implementation efforts to create a safer environment for consumers.
"Millions of consumers purchase wireless phones for themselves, or even their children or aging parents with the expectation of safety and security. Unfortunately, some consumers don't find out about the limitation of their wireless phone until the worst possible time, in an emergency. We must do better than this," Berry argued.
