Today's 911 system is built on an infrastructure of analog technology that does not support many of the features that most Americans expect are part of an emergency response. Efforts to splice newer, digital technologies onto this aging infrastructure have created points of failure where a call can be dropped or misdirected, sometimes with tragic consequences. Callers to 911, however, generally assume that the newer technologies they are using to place a call are matched by the same level of technology at the 911 call center. This is not the case. For example, except for some work-around solutions, Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) -- the call centers -- cannot receive text messages. Delays in moving calls from digital to analog mode add life-threatening seconds to the completion of a 911 call. Information about a caller's location may not be accurate, especially in the case of wireless calls. Technology to supply accurate location information for wireless calls is useless unless the systems receiving and processing the call have matching capability. Modernizing the system to provide the quality of service that approaches the expectations of its users will require investments in new technologies. The general consensus is that these new technologies, collectively referred to as Next Generation 911 or NG9-1-1, should incorporate Internet Protocol (IP) networks and standards. An IP-based emergency communications network that supports 911 will facilitate interoperability and system resilience; improve connections between 911 call centers, emergency responders, and alert and warning systems; provide more robust capacity; and offer flexibility to receive calls for help in any format. Recognizing the importance of providing effective 911 service, Congress has passed three major bills supporting improvements in the handling of 911 emergency calls.