The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has begun the process of reviewing the Standard Occupational Classification manual that lists 9-1-1 telecommunicator as a clerical job.

On behalf of our members, NENA filed comments recommending the reclassification of 9-1-1 telecommunicators into the "Protective Service Occupation" category for the next version of the SOC manual, set to be released in 2028.

From the Executive Summary of NENA's comments:
Despite dealing with a majority of the same day-to-day stressors as law enforcement officers, 9-1-1 professionals are grouped in OMB’s Standard Occupational Classification system along with secretaries and office clerks. This outdated and improper classification has resulted in staffing shortages, faulty data collection, and mischaracterization of the nation’s most important front-line public safety professions. Public Safety Telecommunicators (PST) should be reclassified to Protective Service Occupations, the same as police officers and other public safety professionals. This misclassification should be corrected based upon the job requirements, education, and the vital roles PSTs have in the safety of individuals and communities. 

Click here to read NENA's full comments.

NENA's NG9-1-1 Industry Collaboration Events (ICE) bring together vendors in an open, supportive, collaborative environment. At ICE, vendors build interoperability test cases and test their products (production or prototype) against each other’s products using test case document(s) based on existing and evolving standards.

At the upcoming ICE, taking place October 21-25 in Wheaton, IL, testing scenarios will fall into two standards categories: End-to-End PSAP and Cybersecurity. Connecting with those working groups within NENA who are working on the standards related to these areas, a series of tests have been developed for the event.

NENA invites all interested vendors that provide an NG9-1-1 product or service to participate. Originating Service Providers, NGCS vendors, Forest Guide developers, Call Handling, Incident Handling, Logging Records, Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) providers, etc. should consider participating in this event. Participation in the event requires a functional element to test, attendance at planning meetings, and pre-event testing. 

Click here to learn more and register. 

• How they got their programs started;
• How they maintain the programs and keep them running successfully; and
• What changes they see happening, and how their wellness initiatives are making a difference. 

We have changed webinar platforms and added new attendee benefits!
NENA is excited to be using a new online-learning platform for our #WebinarWednesday offerings. On the day of the webinar, you will need to be logged in to your nena.org account, so please note your username and password. Once logged in, you can access the live webinar via the link in your registration-confirmation email.

Once the webinar concludes, you will be able to complete a knowledge check and fill out an evaluation to receive a certificate of completion.

If you can't attend the live broadcast, then you can watch the webinar on-demand and/or download presentation materials via the same link from your registration email the day after the live webinar airs.

Can't attend on the 28th? Register now and watch later via the link in your registration-confirmation email.

CEUs: Attend this webinar and receive one-half ENP re-certification point.

Webinar Access Info: Live and on-demand webinar link provided automatically via email upon registration.

Questions? Contact Carol Workman with the NENA Education team.

• The positive ways social media can help connect individuals and build communities;
• The potential dangers and harms, including those to your health; and
• Resources, strategies, and methods to promote safe interactions and digital citizenship.

Can't attend on the 19th? Register now to receive an email after the live presentation with instructions for accessing the on-demand webinar archive.

CEUs: Attend this webinar and receive one-half ENP re-certification point.

Due to a vacancy, applications are now being accepted for the Western Region Director seat on the NENA Board of Directors. The appointee will serve as Western Director for the remainder of the current two-year term, through June 2026.

The board leads the organization’s more than 22,000 members in advancing NENA’s mission to improve 9-1-1 through research, standards development, training, education, outreach, and advocacy. Through its leadership, the board ensures that the needs of the association and its members are being met today and that NENA is well-positioned for the future.

Nominations are due by Thursday, August 15 at 5PM Pacific.

Click here to learn more and apply. 

NENA: The 9-1-1 Association seeks qualified candidates to serve as the VP, Education & Training.

The VP, Education & Training oversees and directs NENA’s educational offerings including the development, and delivery of in-person courses, webinars, and online training. The incumbent is responsible for identifying industry trends and future educational needs. This position oversees NENA’s contract instructors, as well as two full-time staff positions. Position responsibilities include:

• Develop a vision and plan for the future of NENA’s education and training programs.
•  Manage 200+ courses per year and coordinates ~30 instructors who are in the field doing online and in-person course delivery.
• Evaluate current processes, courses, platforms, etc. Identify ways to improve and implement educational products and processes.
• Evaluate the effectiveness and impact of courses and other offerings.
• Oversee and manage the education budget and expenditures.
• Oversee the management and updating of course content, working with stakeholders to ensure course content is relevant and accurate.
• Oversee operation of, and development of content for, Learning Management System (LMS).
• Work in tandem with the volunteer-driven Education Advisory Board to ensure the program is current and following industry trends. 

Click here to learn more.

The NENA Security for Next Generation 9-1-1 Standard (NG-SEC) establishes the minimal guidelines and requirements for the protection of NG9-1-1 assets or elements within a changing business environment. Please note, based on the Public Review 3 status, this will be a 30-day comment period. Additionally, only the underlined and strikethrough items are open for public comment. Items underlined are new or revised text while strikethrough indicates a removal of text. Content without an underline or strikethrough is included for context only.

Members of the Working Group are to download the document and submit comments by going here and then select Add a Comment from the Edit icon drop-down menu. All others are to download the document and submit comments by going here and then select Add a Comment from the Document Actions icon drop-down menu. Please complete all requested data and Save or, if submitting multiple comments, select Save and Add Another.

Members of the Working Group are to download the document and submit comments by going here and then select Add a Comment from the Edit icon drop-down menu. All others are to download the document and submit comments by going here and then select Add a Comment from the Document Actions icon drop-down menu. Please complete all requested data and Save or, if submitting multiple comments, select Save and Add Another.

NENA is seeking volunteers for the NENA Daily Personnel Operations Working Group to shepherd the draft of NENA Standard for Communications Center/PSAP Daily Personnel Operations through the document approval process. The working group has revised the current standard intended to provide recommendations to develop PSAP operational guidelines and schedules.

A variety of expertise is sought from the public safety and 9-1-1 industries as well as those with experience in communications center personnel operations. Specifically, the working group seeks to add members in the ‘Producer’ and ‘General Interest’ interest categories although we welcome all who want to participate.

As defined in Section 3 Document Development Process of the NENA Development Operational Procedures, a Producer is a developer or provider of 9-1-1 related products or services, and a General Interest member is a member who does not fit into User or Producer, such as consultants or those who are part of state or federal agencies.

The Volunteer Recruitment and Recognition Working Group is seeking new members who are passionate about the long-term success of all NENA Working Groups!

If any of the following pertain to you, this Working Group is a wonderful fit for you!

• Desire to see engaged members of the 9-1-1 industry making a difference? (That’s right, you do NOT have to be a NENA member)
• Hoping to see more diversity and involvement across NENA's standards and best practices development Working Groups?
• Excited to see processes refined and adapted that increase participation?
• Ready to partner with other Working Group leaders to ensure they are successful?
• Thankful for those who have tirelessly served on Working Groups and want to make sure they are celebrated?

Then... join today! Whether new to the industry, retired from the industry, or in your prime, this Working Group is looking for variety, creativity, and innovation in supporting the work of NENA!

Meetings are scheduled for Mondays from 1:30 – 3:00 PM Eastern. The next meeting is scheduled for August 12, 2024. 

Click here to volunteer!