1. United States
2. Pa.
3. Letter

The nationwide 911 emergency response system is in dire need of modernization to ensure reliable access during crises. Recent outages in multiple states have exposed vulnerabilities within the aging infrastructure, leaving millions without a critical lifeline. While some areas have upgraded to next-generation digital platforms, antiquated analog systems in others are faltering under increasing demand. A patchwork of over 6,000 call centers handled an estimated 240 million calls last year, yet many experienced crippling failures. The consequences of these breakdowns can be catastrophic, as the tragic wildfires in Maui demonstrated when residents struggled to reach 911 amid widespread service disruptions. To safeguard public safety and bolster national security, I urge robust federal funding to expedite the nationwide deployment of modern, resilient 911 infrastructure. Leveraging funds from spectrum auctions could direct billions towards this vital initiative, enabling seamless multimedia communications, precise caller location services, and redundancies to minimize outages. The technology exists, but resources are lacking in many under-served communities. By prioritizing investment in this mission-critical system, we can bridge the divide and ensure every American has reliable access to emergency assistance when it matters most. The time to act is now before more lives are jeopardized by a crumbling 911 network on the brink.