Announcement of Grant Availability to Help States Upgrade 9-1-1 Services 

June 5, 2009: The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) today announced the Notice of Funding Availability for more than $40 million in grants to help states and territories improve their 9-1-1 call centers. The grants were authorized by the “Ensuring Help Arrives Near Callers Employing 9-1-1 Act” (ENHANCE 911 Act).

All States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and U.S. Territories are eligible for the grants.  Among other things, the funds will be used to implement technologies to deliver wireless 9-1-1 calls with automatic location information.

The joint announcement, published in today’s Federal Register, spells out details of the grant program, including the application and administrative requirements of the Final Rule.  The funds will be awarded in fiscal year 2009.  Interested parties will have 60 days to submit applications.  Instructions for applicants can be found at:  http://www.e-911ico.gov/.  Questions related to the application process can be directed to nhtsa.national911@dot.gov or 202-366-3485.

The Notice is available online at the Federal Register: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-13206.pdf

NHTSA program inquiries:  Laurie Flaherty / 202-366-3485 / nhtsa.national911@dot.gov

NTIA program inquiries: Thomas Hardy / 202-482-1948 / thardy@ntia.doc.gov

NTIA media inquiries: Bart Forbes / 202-482-1950