Last week the Missouri House passed a budget that included $38 million for Next Generation 9-1-1 funding and NG9-1-1 GIS. In order to fully fund NG9-1-1, we need the funding increased to the originally requested amount of $47 million. We’re asking that you call and email your Senators THIS WEEK and ask that they fully fund NG9-1-1.
Here is a request made by our lobbyist, Penman Group:
Members of the Missouri 911 Community,
Last week the Missouri House passed a budget that included $38 million for Next Generation (NG) 911 funding and NG911 GIS. We are incredibly grateful for the support to 911 received from our Representatives, but in order to fully fund NG911, we need the funding increased to the originally requested amount of $47 million for NG and GIS.
We are asking that you call and email your Senators THIS WEEK to ask that they fully fund NG911 and GIS projects at $47 million. This requires the Senate to add an additional $9M to the NG911 line item found in HB 3020. Please find additional talking points below. You can find your lookup your Senators here.
- 911 benefits all Missourians, and all Missourians expect the level of 911 services that NG911 provides – connecting all call centers, and allowing citizens to interact with 911 using text messages, photos, etc.
- Many call centers are struggling to find and retain staff, leaving some centers with no one to cover shifts. NG911 would allow calls to be answered for multiple counties at one site, making up for staff shortages.
- Without this one-time capital investment of ARPA funds, many of Missouri’s counties will lack the funding needed to obtain the necessary infrastructure for NG911.
- Without the fully funding NG911/GIS at $47 million, Missouri will be unable to fully implement NG911, perpetuating Missouri’s disjointed 911 system.
- The Missouri 911 Service Board has laid the groundwork that will allow for them to hit the ground running with this project.