Current through February, 2024
Section 1.0
Authority
This rule is adopted pursuant to
30 V.S.A. §
7057.
Section 2.0 Purpose
The public expects that a 9-1-1 call made from any device
anywhere in the state will be routed to the appropriate Public Safety Answering
Point (PSAP) with accurate location information so that a dispatchable location
can be provided to emergency responders.
The purpose of this rule is to define the 9-1-1 requirements
for all Enterprise Communications Systems (ECS), also referred to as privately
owned telephone systems or multi-line telephone systems, that provide access to
the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) for end users within the State of
Vermont.
Section 3.0
Definitions
3.1 Automatic Location
Identification (ALI) -- An enhanced 9-1-1 service capability that allows for
the automatic display of information relating to the geographical location of
the communication device used to place a 9-1-1 call.
3.2 Automatic Number Identification (ANI) --
The telephone number associated with the access line from which a call
originates.
3.3 Enterprise
Communications Systems (ECS) -- any networked communication system serving two
or more stations, or living units, within an enterprise. ECS includes, but is
not necessarily limited to, circuit-switched networks (Multi-Line Telephone
Systems (MLTS) or Legacy ECS), IP-based systems and cloud-based technology. An
enterprise may include, but is not limited to, business entities, governmental
agencies or facilities, shared residential facilities, and educational
institutions.
3.4 Call Back Number
(CBN) -- a unique telephone number that can be dialed to reconnect with the
originator of a 9-1-1 call.
3.5
Dispatchable Location -- the location information delivered to the PSAP by the
ECS provider with a 9-1-1 call. The location information must consist of the
verified street address and community name, plus additional information to
adequately identify the location of the calling party. The additional location
information must include floor level (if applicable) and the more granular of
suite, apartment, or room identifier. Any single room larger than 10,000 square
feet must include additional granular information such as number, cubicle
number, visible signage, or other logical landmark or physical information to
identify the location of the calling party.
3.6 Location Information Server (LIS) -- a
functional element in an IP-capable originating network that provides locations
of endpoints (i.e., calling device). A LIS can provide Location by-Reference,
or Location-by-Value, and, if the latter, in geo or civic forms. A LIS can be
queried by an endpoint for its own location, or by another entity for the
location of an endpoint. In either case, the LIS receives a unique identifier
that represents the endpoint, for example an IP address, circuit-ID or Media
Access Control (MAC) address and returns the location (value or reference)
associated with that identifier. The LIS is also the entity that provides the
dereferencing service, exchanging a location reference for a location
value.
3.7 Location Validation
Function (LVF) -- a functional element that is part of a Next Generation Core
Services (NGCS) that provides validation of a civic address against the
authoritative 9-1-1 GIS database.
3.8 Multi-Line Telephone System (MLTS) -- A
system comprised of common control unit(s), telephone sets, control hardware
and software and adjunct systems providing telephone service to multiple
end-use customers in businesses, apartments, townhouses, condominiums, schools,
dormitories, hotels, motels, resorts, extended care facilities, or similar
entities. This includes network and premises-based systems. e.g., Centrex,
VoIP, as well as PBX, Hybrid, and Key Telephone Systems (as classified by the
FCC under Part 68 Requirements) and includes systems owned or leased by
governmental agencies and non-profit entities, as well as for profit
businesses
3.9 National Emergency
Number Association (NENA) - professional organization focused on 9-1-1 policy,
technology, operations, and education issues.
3.10 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) --
an emergency communications center capable of processing 9-1-1 calls.
3.11 Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN)
-- The interconnected set of telecommunications networks that use analog or
Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) format to transmit voice calls between
end-user customers and the telecommunications network.
3.12 Station -- a telephone handset, customer
premise equipment (CPE) or calling device that is capable of initiating a call
to 9-1-1.
3.13 Shared Residential
ECS -- an ECS serving two or more living units.
Section 4.0 General Requirements
4.1 ECS end users shall have the ability to
directly initiate a call to 9-1-1 without dialing any additional digit, code,
prefix or post-fix.
4.2 The ECS
shall provide ANI for every station or living unit with a station.
4.3 The ECS shall provide a unique Call Back
Number (CBN) for every station or living unit with a station. The CBN will
allow the Vermont 9-1-1 system to dial-back the originating station or living
unit.
4.4 The ECS shall provide ALI
to include a CBN and a dispatchable location for every station or living unit
with a station. The location information must correlate to a physically posted
dispatchable location in the facility.
4.5 The ALI shall be provided by a
third-party database provider, a LIS, or a future technology recognized and
accepted by NENA standards and the Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board.
4.6 The ECS shall route 9-1-1 calls to the
appropriate Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) based upon the caller's
physical location.
4.7 An ECS with
remote and/or mobile users must allow the user to connect using the native
phone application and the mobile network of the device when dialing 9-1-1, if
capable. If the mobile or remote user can only contact 9-1-1 through the ECS
then an accurate dispatchable location of the remote/mobile user must be
provided.
4.8 Compliance with this
rule will be assessed through a 9-1-1 test call procedure coordinated and
authorized by the Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board.
4.8.1 No test calls to 9-1-1 are permitted
unless authorized in advance by the Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board.
Section 5.0
ALI/Location Provider Maintenance
5.1 ECS ALI
information must be validated using the Vermont LVF or a Board approved GIS
validation process to confirm the accuracy of house number, street address, and
community name in the ALI.
5.2 ECS
ANI, ALI, CBN and dispatchable location must be accurately maintained for each
station or living unit equipped with a station in the system.
5.3 ALI or other reported database
discrepancies must be resolved within two (2) business days.
5.4 All ALI and dispatchable location
information shall be audited at least once annually and any errors
corrected.
5.5 The Vermont 9-1-1
Board may request, review and/or test the location data of any ECS at any time
and require that corrections be made to any errors within a Board-determined
time frame.
Section 6.0
Data Exchange Format for the ECS Database
6.1
ECS database systems must comply with the data exchange format currently in use
by the Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board's Database Management Service
Provider.
Section 7.0
Service Provider Customer Education Requirements
7.1 Ninety (90) days after the approval of
this rule; all dial tone service providers providing equipment or services
capable of multi-line PSTN access and terminating in an ECS, and all vendors
providing ECS solutions or equipment must:
7.1.1 Direct existing customers to the
customer advisory brochure (ECS 9-1-1 Advisory Brochure) on the Vermont
Enhanced 9-1-1 Board website.
7.1.2
Direct their prospective customers the customer advisory brochure (ECS 9-1-1
Advisory Brochure) on the Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board website when those
customers initiate ECS services, request information on Enterprise
Communication Systems; and/or purchase equipment or services capable of
multi-line PSTN access terminating in an ECS.
Section 8.0 Waivers and Enforcement
8.1 The Vermont Enhanced 9-1-1 Board may
grant a waiver to these requirements if, in the judgment of the Board, the ECS
is actively engaged in becoming compliant with this rule, is likely to comply
with this rule in a reasonable amount of time and will do so in accordance with
standards and procedures adopted by the Board by rule.
8.2 Any ECS seeking a waiver to any provision
of this rule must contact the Enhanced 9-1-1 Board, and provide, in writing,
8.2.1 The provision for which the waiver is
sought;
8.2.2 The reason the waiver
is sought
8.2.3 The plan to remedy
the violation.
8.3 If a
waiver is granted, the ECS must comply with any interim requirements imposed by
the Board to mitigate the impact of system limitations on end users. Such
requirements may include, but are not limited to, end user education, posting
of location information, or other similar requirements.
8.4 Pursuant to section 30 V.S.A. §
7061(a), the Enhanced 9-1-1 Board may file a civil action for injunctive relief
in Washington county superior court to enforce this rule. The court shall award
the board its costs and reasonable attorneys' fees in the event that the board
prevails in an action under this subsection.
STATUTORY AUTHORITY:
30 V.S.A
7053(f) and
7057