11.11.24 – MACO – Kevin Kinnally
Senator Cheryl Kagan has reached a significant milestone in her mission to modernize Maryland’s emergency response system. With her visit to Calvert County’s 9-1-1 center this week, Kagan has officially visited all 24 county Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs).
This hands-on engagement highlights her commitment to understanding each jurisdiction’s unique needs, recognizing that 9-1-1 services are a vital county function, and ensuring they are equipped with the tools and technology necessary to keep Maryland residents safe.
Maryland residents demand reliable and efficient 9-1-1 services, and Senator Kagan’s work is delivering just that. Through her leadership, counties are advancing Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG911) technology to handle today’s public safety challenges, such as improved wireless caller location, accommodating text and video, and managing crisis-driven call overflows.
In 2018, Senator Kagan sponsored a MACo Legislative Initiative to create the Commission to Advance Next-Generation 9-1-1 Across Maryland, aimed at overhauling state laws and modernizing the 9-1-1 funding framework to provide the flexibility and resources essential for implementing NG911 statewide.
Chaired by Kagan, the Commission united 9-1-1 directors, industry representatives, cybersecurity experts, bipartisan legislators, and other stakeholders, creating a clear path for the statewide transition.
The Commission’s work resulted in several laws to bolster the framework and resources to guide a successful statewide transition to NG911, enhancing public safety communications in Maryland and our local communities. As a result, Maryland counties are leading the way in building a statewide Next Generation 9-1-1 system to equip public safety agencies and first responders with 21st-century tools and technology to protect residents and save lives.
“Senator Kagan has been an invaluable partner in improving 9-1-1 across Maryland and is recognized nationally as a leader on the issue,” said Maryland Department of Emergency Management Secretary Russ Strickland.
While Maryland has made significant progress, Senator Kagan remains committed to advancing NG911 capabilities and collaborating with local partners. She plans to sponsor additional legislation to enhance Maryland’s emergency communications infrastructure.
“Senator Kagan’s hands-on engagement with county 9-1-1 centers and unwavering advocacy reflect a deep commitment to safeguarding our communities, said MACo Legislative Director Kevin Kinnally. “Her visits to all 24 of Maryland’s 9-1-1 centers and her legislative work have been instrumental in delivering a safer, more resilient statewide emergency response network.”
As previously reported on Conduit Street, Senator Kagan is also a multiple-time recipient of the Next Generation 9-1-1 Institute’s Government Leader of the Year award for her groundbreaking work in improving emergency services.
In addition, Senator Kagan has been honored with the MACo Recognition Award, which is presented annually to legislators who have consistently and excellently championed the needs of county government.
Thanks to the implementation of NG911 technology, residents and communities are safer today. MACo deeply appreciates Senator Kagan’s steadfast commitment, which ensures that Maryland counties will remain at the forefront of public safety communications for the foreseeable future.