Local and National 9-1-1 Leaders Gather in Orlando to Address Critical Public Safety Issues

ORLANDO, Fla. - June 6, 2019 - PRLog -- Thousands of professionals who lead America's community-based 9-1-1 systems will gather in Orlando, Florida on June 14-19 for NENA (https://www.nena.org/): The 9-1-1 Association's 2019 Annual Conference & Expo (https://www.nena.org/page/nena2019).

This year's conference will focus on critical public safety issues facing every American community in Florida and nationwide, including wireless location accuracy, deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1 technologies, and NENA's work with leaders in the public and private sectors to accelerate innovation in 9-1-1 systems.

NENA also will introduce a new wellness initiative, focusing on promoting physical, mental, and emotional health among 9-1-1 professionals, who typically work very stressful jobs.

The conference will feature three inspiring keynote speakers:

●     Shawn Achor, Harvard professor of positive psychology and author of the best-selling book The Happiness Advantage;

●     Damien Paton, Founder/CEO of Banjo, whose mission is to save lives and reduce suffering by using technology for good; and

●     Vinh Giang, an internationally-renowned magician, entrepreneur, and communicator.

At its core, the five-day conference will include more than 90 hours of breakout sessions, career-building courses, workshops led by public safety experts, and networking events. An Expo Hall will feature the latest in innovative public safety technologies from more than 100 vendors.

Meanwhile, the fifth annual "Run for 9-1-1" Charity 5k Run/Walk (http://www.runfor911.org/) will take place on Saturday, June 15 in Kissimmee. This event is open to runners and walkers in the Greater Orlando community as a way to say "Thank You 9-1-1!" and raise funds for scholarships and wellness programs for 9-1-1 professionals.

Background

●     More than 600,000 calls are placed to 9-1-1 emergency services across the United States every day, with an estimated 80% of those calls coming from mobile phones.

●     The perennial 9-1-1 issues in every community are emerging technologies such as smartphones, texting, and next-generation digital networks; training and workforce challenges; and local funding and governance.  

●     Among the specific topics garnering media coverage in many communities are cybersecurity threats, diversion of state 9-1-1 fees, text-to-9-1-1 (under development in many areas but not yet not available in most); and improving speed and accuracy in locating wireless 9-1-1 callers in both dense urban and rural environments.

Contacts:

In DC and then on site: Chris Nussman, 973-479-3939 (mobile) or Breyana Franklin, 301-346-0056 (mobile)