Status of Legislation

Bill Introduced
Introduced to House
House to Vote
Introduced to Senate
Senate to Vote

Purpose and Summary

Enhancing First Response Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on certain activations of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). DIRS is a reporting system, activated during severe weather and other events impacting communications service, through which communications providers report outages and other degradations to service.

If the system was activated for at least seven days, the FCC must issue a preliminary report that includes information about the number, duration, and nature of all associated outages. The FCC must also hold at least one public field hearing in the area affected by the event, and it must issue a final report that includes recommendations on how to improve the resiliency of affected networks.

Separately, the FCC must publish a general report on (1) the volume and nature of 9-1-1 outages that are not required to be reported under current outage notification rules, and (2) the value to public safety agencies of the inclusion of visual information in outage notifications from communications providers.

The bill also requires the Office of Management and Budget, by 30 days after the bill's enactment, to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification System.

Finally, the Office of the Inspector General of the FCC is directed to publish a report on the implementation of Kari’s Law, which requires multiline telephone systems to be preconfigured to allow users to dial 9-1-1 directly from any phone without dialing any additional code or prefix.

Bill 118 s 3556, also known as the Enhancing First Response Act, aims to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of first responders in emergency situations. The bill focuses on providing additional resources and training for first responders, including police officers, firefighters, and emergency medical technicians.

One key aspect of the bill is the allocation of funding for the purchase of new equipment and technology for first responders. This includes items such as body cameras for police officers, updated communication systems for firefighters, and advanced medical equipment for EMTs. By providing these resources, the bill aims to ensure that first responders have the tools they need to effectively and safely respond to emergencies.

In addition to equipment upgrades, the bill also emphasizes the importance of training for first responders. This includes ongoing education on topics such as de-escalation techniques, cultural sensitivity, and mental health awareness. By investing in training programs, the bill aims to improve the overall quality of response from first responders and better serve the communities they protect. Overall, the Enhancing First Response Act seeks to enhance the capabilities of first responders and improve their ability to effectively respond to emergencies. By providing additional resources and training, the bill aims to ensure that first responders are better equipped to handle a wide range of situations and provide the best possible care to those in need.
Alternative Names
Official Title as IntroducedA bill to direct the Federal Communications Commission to issue reports after activation of the Disaster Information Reporting System and to make improvements to network outage reporting, to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification system, and for other purposes.

Policy Areas
Science, Technology, Communications

Comments

Recent Activity

Latest Summary3/28/2025

Enhancing First Response Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to report on certain activations of the Disaster Information Reporting System (DIRS). DIRS is a reporting system, activated during s...


Latest Action12/18/2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.