Are there lessons from Hurricane Katrina about the need for an IP-based E9-1-1 emergency network?
Yes: During Katrina, some E9-1-1 system components and 36 PSAPs went down and couldnt answer 9-1-1 calls. An IP enabled emergency network allows overflow calls to be rerouted just like a modern call center. For massive emergencies, such overflow could be critical. An IP network also allows nomadic 9-1-1 calltakers to plug in and take calls from a remote location in an emergency. It also could allow people with text messaging devices to contact public safety officials something that can be even more important as voice networks fail in situations like Katrina. See: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6026770.html How would the transition to an IP-enabled emergency network impact the disability community? An IP-Based emergency network could deliver some life-saving advances to the disability community as well. For example, with an IP-enabled emergency network, the deaf could sign to emergency call takers over a VoIP-enabled video connection, and the blind could text message calltakers for
