WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) has recently introduced the Safer Parks Act Wednesday, November 20 which will update the 911 emergency call centers inside the National Park System (NPS). The bill would direct the U.S. Department of the Interior to develop plans to upgrade current NPS 911 call centers with the Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology. 

“Implementing NG911 technology would enable NPS call centers to receive text messages, images, and video submissions in addition to traditional phone calls. This capability can improve the speed and accuracy of dispatched emergency responders in locating and assisting callers in need of emergency aid,” the release said. “Additionally, in the event of any natural disaster or technical issue, the updated call centers would be equipped to forward 911 calls and messages to any working call center until they become operational again.” 

“With attendance at our national parks increasing every year, it’s important that our public safety technology keeps up with demand,” Barrasso said in the release. “Our bill updates and modernizes 911 call centers across our national parks. It gives our first responders better tools to do their jobs and ensures visitors who may need assistance can be reached in an accurate and timely manner. This is a much-needed update to improve the safety of visitors to our national parks.”

The act would direct the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Interior to develop a plan based on the assessment to install the NG911 system at identified points in the NPS. 

“This plan must include consultation with state and local emergency operations and stakeholders, as well as relevant federal agencies to ensure its successful implementation,” the release explained. 

A complete assessment of current call centers at national parks and the estimated cost of implementing NG911 technology across the NPS, the release noted.