Consumers are unable to dial 911 directly at...

Consumers are unable to dial 911 directly at tens of thousands of buildings across the country, FCC Commissioner Ajit Pai told a national Emergency Number Association conference Monday, according to prepared remarks (http://fcc.us/1gv9NIT). Pai sent letters in January to CEOs of the ten largest hotel chains in the U.S., asking how many of their hotels required dialing 9 before calling 911 (CD Jan 14 p14). The American Hotel and Lodging Association gave Pai survey results showing that guests can reach emergency services by dialing 911 without an access code in only 44.5 percent of franchised properties, and 32 percent of independent hotels. The association has convened an industry-wide task force to develop best practices, and individual hotels are working on upgrading their telephone systems, Pai said. “My office will keep working with the hospitality industry on solving this problem. And I'm optimistic that the number of hotels where guests can reach emergency services by dialing 911 will keep growing.” Pai on Monday turned his attention to offices and schools, which also frequently require an access code to get an outside line. His letter asks multi-line phone system vendors about the accessibility of 911, and whether they have plans to upgrade systems. “The greatest weapon in our arsenal is awareness,” Pai said.