The ambitious statewide initiative to transition California’s 440 public safety answering points (PSAPs) from legacy 911 technology to next-generation 911 (NG911) has been placed on hold. The suspension stems from safety concerns, financial challenges, and the departure of Walter "Budge" Currier, the longtime leader of the project.

The California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), overseeing the NG911 transition, had previously outlined an aggressive timeline for statewide implementation by late 2024 or early 2025. However, as of now, only 5% of the state’s PSAPs—22 centers—are using the NG911 i3 standard set by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA).

“Progress has been slow,” said Andrew Mattson, Program Management Division Chief for the Cal OES 911 branch, during a recent meeting of the California State 911 Advisory Board. “Right now, we’re conducting a full network assessment. Testing and migrations have been paused since early September as we evaluate the system’s status and determine the path forward.”

Challenges and Reassessment

Concerns about system reliability, funding allocation, and leadership gaps have surfaced in recent months. These issues were highlighted in investigative reports by NBC Bay Area, which also revealed a December 2022 memorandum citing technical and operational issues with the NG911 system.

Adding to the uncertainty is the departure of Budge Currier, who played a pivotal role in championing NG911 for over a decade. His absence, first reported publicly last week, surprised many, including 911 advisory board members.

“Modernizing 911 is crucial, but not at the cost of reliability or public trust,” said Andrew White, acting chairman of the California State 911 Advisory Board and Martinez Police Chief. “The board was not adequately informed of these developments, and we need to ensure transparency and accountability moving forward.”

Industry Implications and Future Plans

The NG911 initiative in California has been closely monitored nationwide, with many states viewing it as a model for large-scale implementation. A successful rollout could have bolstered efforts to secure $10–$20 billion in federal funding for a nationwide NG911 deployment.

However, progress has been limited, with California spending over $400 million on the initiative and achieving marginal adoption. Public safety experts, including Mark Chase of the Palo Alto Police Department, emphasize the urgent need for NG911 while acknowledging the significant challenges of transitioning from the outdated 1970s infrastructure.

“This isn’t about abandoning NG911—it’s about recalibrating expectations and addressing unforeseen complexities,” Chase stated. “The safety of Californians depends on a reliable, modernized system, and we urge Cal OES to prioritize transparency and collaboration as they reset timelines.”

Next Steps

The California State 911 Advisory Board plans to hold a special meeting before its regularly scheduled February 2025 session. Cal OES is expected to present a comprehensive analysis of the NG911 system’s security and operational concerns and provide updated deployment plans.