Bill would upgrade National Park 911 call centers to strengthen caller location accuracy and emergency assistance capabilities.

WASHINGTON, DC - U.S. Senators John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) and Angus King (I-Maine) praised the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for unanimously passing their legislation this week to provide essential upgrades to National Park Service (NPS) 911 call centers. The senators introduced the Making National Parks Safer Act (S. 290) on January 29, 2025.

"Wyoming is blessed with the most beautiful national parks in the nation. Folks travel from all over the world to enjoy them-especially Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons," said Senator Barrasso. "It is vital that visitors have access to the latest emergency response technology. This week's committee vote brings this bipartisan bill one step closer to delivering increased speed and accuracy for emergency responders. This will ensure visitors can continue to enjoy the great American outdoors without worry."

"People travel from across the globe to experience the natural beauty of America's public lands - from Maine to Montana and across the nation," said Senator King, Co-Chair of the Senate National Parks Subcommittee. "However, vital emergency response infrastructure is critical to ensure a safe visitor experience for those enjoying our public lands and National Parks. The bipartisan Making National Parks Safer Act will help upgrade National Park Service call centers and give visitors a little more peace of mind when they're relaxing and looking at our gorgeous natural treasures."

The Making National Parks Safer Act would equip NPS 911 call centers with Next Generation 911 (NG911) technology, strengthening emergency response capabilities, supporting dispatch center operations, and enabling responders to receive text messages, images, and videos in addition to phone calls.

Cosponsors of the Making National Parks Safer Act include Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) and John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.).

You can watch Senator Barrasso's remarks at this week's Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee business meeting here.

Background

The National Park Service operates 41 call centers nationwide. Call centers operate on outdated systems and have little interoperability and emergency redundancy capabilities with the other law enforcement agencies.

The committee-passed version of the Making National Parks Safer Act:

• Directs the National Park Service to assess the current implementation status of NG911 systems at existing emergency communications centers and estimate costs to install and maintain NG911 systems.

• Provides a report on the results of the assessment and identify certain jurisdictional, technological, and legal issues that may affect implementation of NG911 systems.

• Requires the National Park Service to develop a plan to install NG911 systems at existing centers, after consultation with relevant stakeholders and authorities.

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