Annual National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Conference Recap

Published: June 27, 2013

Justice/Public Safety & Homeland Security

The 2013 National Emergency Number Association (NENA) Conference was held June 17-19 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C.

The conference included a variety of sessions and workshops addressing executive, operational, and technical communications and interoperability. NENA works with stakeholders, including policy leaders, telecommunications and emergency services groups to establish industry standards and promote critical initiatives such as the use of IP-based next generation 911 (NG911) systems. NENA has more than 7,000 members in 48 chapters across North America and around the world.

The past year has been a difficult one, filled with natural disasters and national tragedies that highlighted the importance of 911 telecommunicators and other first responders. From the tragic shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary School to the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, telecommunicators were on the front lines.

Next generation 911 proved to be the most common topic throughout the conference. Several sessions were held for entities just beginning to explore the technology as well as those already well versed in its benefits and difficulties. There were also numerous sessions focused on the more tangential aspects of 911 and the challenges public safety answers points (PSAPs) may face with or without NG911, which was fitting given the large number of disasters that have taken place since last year’s conference.

For more analysis some of the hot topics and other insights from the 2013 IACP LEIM Conference, please check out the full five-page recap, here