SACRAMENTO — On Wednesday the Assembly Utilities & Commerce Committee passed Assembly Bill 1564, authored by Assemblymember Das Williams (D – Carpinteria), out of the committee on a unanimous vote. This bill seeks to improve the 9-1-1 emergency call system when calling from a cell phone.
There is increasing awareness about delays that can occur when wireless 9-1-1 calls are routed to call centers outside of the area where the call is made. For example, many wireless 9-1-1 calls made in the Santa Barbara area are initially routed to a CHP dispatch center in Ventura. They then end up being transferred to the local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for the appropriate first responders to be sent to the person requiring assistance.
“With 20 million wireless 9-1-1 calls made in California every year, we need them to go to the right place the first time so that first responders arrive fast enough to save lives,” explained Assemblymember Williams. “I am pleased to have the unanimous support of my committee colleagues on this vital effort.”
This bill requires the Office of Emergency Services (CAL OES) to work closely with the California Highway Patrol (CHP), the local PSAPs, and the wireless industry to take all the necessary actions to improve the 9-1-1 system, undertaking an annual comprehensive review and decision making process. A new process would ensure that people in emergency situations can get through to emergency responders in a safe and timely manner.
AB 1564 will be heard next in the Assembly Governmental Organization Committee.
