Bill Overview
Title: ISAAC Alerting Act
Description: This bill requires the Technological Advisory Council of the Federal Communications Commission, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, to submit a report that identifies measures, barriers, and recommendations for implementing a 9–1–1 disability alerting system. The alerting system must allow an individual to register and create a profile associated with an individual who has a disability that includes information such as whether the individual is a wandering risk, nonverbal, or physically limited. The alerting system then transmits such information to public safety answering points to be conveyed to first responders.
Sponsors: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with disabilities, their families, and first responders
Estimated Size: 85000000
- The bill is focused on improving communication for individuals with disabilities during emergency situations.
- The alerting system will benefit people with disabilities who might have specific needs in emergency situations.
- Families or caregivers of individuals with disabilities will also be impacted as they can register these individuals for the alerting system.
- First responders and emergency personnel will be impacted as they will have improved access to critical information needed to respond appropriately to emergencies involving individuals with disabilities.
- Considering global data, approximately 15% of the world's population lives with some form of disability.
Reasoning
- The target population includes individuals with disabilities, their families, and emergency responders. In the U.S., about 26% of adults have some form of disability, indicating a significant portion of the population is directly impacted by the policy.
- The policy aims to improve communication and response times in emergencies for individuals with disabilities through a 911 alerting system.
- Key factors considered for each interview include the nature of the disability, the likelihood and nature of emergency situations, and the role of the person (e.g., individual with a disability, family member, or first responder).
- Budget constraints and the scale of implementation suggest that high-impact areas or situations would be prioritized within the early phases of the policy rollout.
- The potential for policy impact ranges from 'none' for individuals unaffected by the system, to 'high' for those who would benefit significantly in emergencies.
- Consideration is given to individuals in urban vs. rural areas, as well as different age groups, to reflect diversity in emergency response needs and system access.
Simulated Interviews
Software Engineer (Boston, MA)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I worry a lot about what would happen in an emergency when my child is involved.
- This system would provide peace of mind knowing that first responders would understand our situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Paramedic (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having more detailed information before arriving at a scene could make a big difference.
- I'm excited to have tools that can help us provide better care.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (Rural Wyoming)
Age: 58 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Emergency situations are already stressful; this seems like a step in the right direction.
- I'm curious if this will really reach rural areas effectively.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
College Student (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 20 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm afraid of having seizures when I'm alone and no one knowing how to help.
- This system could ensure that if I dial 911, they have all my information right away.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Firefighter (New York, NY)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Every second counts in emergencies, and knowing about someone's disability before getting there can save time.
- It might take a while to integrate into our systems, but it's beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Teacher (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It can be so hard to communicate all your child's needs in an emergency.
- This policy would be invaluable for parents like me.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Retired Police Officer (Detroit, MI)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- From my experience, it's crucial to have as much information as possible before arriving on the scene.
- This system sounds like a necessary upgrade.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Graphic Designer (Miami, FL)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Communication during emergencies is my biggest fear.
- If first responders know about my hearing loss in advance, it could hugely help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
911 Dispatcher (Chicago, IL)
Age: 48 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to more detailed information about callers is always beneficial.
- Implementing this will be challenging but very rewarding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Retired (Seattle, WA)
Age: 74 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's nerve-wracking to think about calling for help and not being able to communicate effectively.
- The alerting system could give me a sense of safety in my own home.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $40000000, High: $60000000)
Year 2: $40000000 (Low: $35000000, High: $50000000)
Year 3: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $40000000)
Year 5: $20000000 (Low: $15000000, High: $25000000)
Year 10: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 100: $3000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $5000000)
Key Considerations
- The implementation will require advanced IT infrastructure and inter-agency coordination.
- Data privacy and security are critical given the sensitive nature of the information processed.
- Training for emergency personnel is necessary to effectively utilize the new system and understand its benefits.
- Stakeholder engagement is crucial for promoting enrollment and proper usage of the system.