April is National 911 Education Month, highlighting the vital link between citizens and emergency services. While Iowans rely on the expertise of local dispatchers and first responders, the Iowa Communications Network (ICN) serves as the invisible lifeline for these interactions. As the state’s dedicated fiber-optic backbone, the ICN provides the critical infrastructure that securely carries emergency calls from Iowans devices to one of Iowa's 111 public safety answering points (dispatch centers).
Public Safety Commitment
ICN is dedicated to public safety connections through our secure, IP-based critical infrastructure, which has transformed emergency systems beyond the traditional voice calls.
Delivering 911 Calls: Every 911 call that’s made in Iowa is transported across the ICN to be delivered to one of the 111 public safety answering points.
- Text-to-911 Services: All 99 counties have this capability, which is a vital tool for those with hearing loss or those in silent emergencies where speaking is not an option.
- Push-to-Talk & Radio Transport: Beyond 911 calls, the ICN infrastructure provides essential transport for the state’s Land Mobile Radio (LMR) system. This supports Push-to-Talk (PTT) technology, allowing emergency personnel to communicate instantly across county lines and jurisdictions.
- Redundant Safety Nets: ICN uses fiber ring architecture and FirstNet (LTE) wireless backups at dispatch centers to ensure connectivity remains active even during fiber cuts or severe weather.
3 Essential 911 Tips for Iowans
Public safety officials encourage Iowans to keep these three rules in mind to help dispatchers provide the fastest possible assistance:
- Confirm Your Location: Cell phones don't always provide an exact GPS address. Be ready to give a street name, mile marker, or local landmark.
- Text if You Can’t Talk: If it’s unsafe to speak, send a brief text to 911 with your location, the nature of the emergency, and your name.
- Stay on the Line for Accidental Dials: If you dial 911 by mistake, do not hang up. Simply explain it was an accident.
For 911 resources: Visit ready.iowa.gov to learn about Iowa’s emergency capabilities and how to prepare your family for any situation.
Thanking Our Dispatchers
From April 12 - 18, we celebrate National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week. These first responders provide life-saving instructions and a calm voice during a crisis. ICN is proud to provide the mission-critical technology that empowers first responders to save lives every day.