Governor Sebelius announces nearly $5 million
to help locate cell phone callers in emergencies

In an effort to assist cell phone users dialing 911 in emergency situations, Governor Kathleen Sebelius and the Kansas Wireless Enhanced Advisory Board (KWEAB) today announced $4,915,782 in funding for 37 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) from the E911 state grant.

“We’re very fortunate to have this critical funding available for communities as they enhance their 911 systems to locate callers in need of emergency assistance,” Governor Sebelius said.  “Having the enhanced systems can make all the difference when seconds count.”

Funding from the E911 state grant assists PSAPs in implementing wireless enhanced 911 services; purchasing equipment or upgrading and modifying equipment; purchasing licensing fees for equipment; and providing training to operate the equipment, including costs to train personnel to provide effective services for those who have communication disabilities.

E911 state grant funds are generated from a 25-cent-monthly fee collected from each wireless service account in Kansas and one percent from the retail price of any prepaid wireless service sold in the state.  Counties with population of less than 75,000 or any city located within such a county are eligible for E911 state grant funds.

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