The Wireless 911 Local Incentive Funding Enhancement -or LIFE - program would end unnecessary delays in 911 enhancements by providing funding directly to local emergency dispatch centers. The legislation would help localities, which currently handle their own wireless 911 calls, to finance the equipment they need to pinpoint the exact location of all 911 calls from cell phones. The program expedites actions initiated by the New York State Assembly in 2002 that set aside $20 million in wireless surcharges to help localities fund the system's implementation.

It is inexcusable that after 10 years and over $200 million in collected surcharge revenue, no real progress has been made in implementing enhanced wireless emergency service. This bill would ensure that this money goes toward the life-saving purpose it was intended.

Assembly member David Koon (D-Perinton), the prime sponsor, has called for swift action by the Senate and Governor George E. Pataki. The cellular telephone surcharge was established for the sole purpose of implementating a statewide wireless 911 emergency telecommunications system, however, until 2002, none of the money was used for that purpose.

The recent tragic loss of four teenage boys, Henry Badillo, Max Guarino, Andrew Melnikov and Carlo Wertenbaker off City Island in Long Island Sound, partially due to an inability to pinpoint their location, highlights the urgency of enacting the LIFE program, which would provide immediate grants for upgrading local public safety answering points. Under the legislation, a $300 million program financed through Dormitory Authority Bonds would be established. This bond would be repaid using a portion of the existing wireless 911 surcharge monies.

We need your assistance to encourage all local, state, and federal government officials to act now to provide the necessary funding to address this very important public safety issue.

"THE FACT THAT THIS SYSTEM IS NOT IN PLACE IS HEARTBREAKING. OUR SONS CANNOT BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE, BUT WE CAN PREVENT OTHER TRAGEDIES".

Please show your support by signing the petition for the Wireless 911 Local Incentive Funding Enhancement -or LIFE program (A.3911) with your first and last name, and county and state of residence.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!