Making National Parks Safer Act
Summary
The Making National Parks Safer Act would direct the National Park Service to evaluate and upgrade emergency communications infrastructure at national parks nationwide. Specifically, the bill would require the NPS to assess the current status and costs of implementing Next Generation 911 (NG911) systems—modern, internet-based emergency call systems—at existing emergency communications centers within NPS units. Based on this assessment, the NPS would then develop a comprehensive plan to install these upgraded systems.
If enacted, this bill could improve emergency response capabilities in national parks by modernizing outdated 911 infrastructure. NG911 systems offer enhanced features such as digital communication, better interoperability between agencies, and improved call routing, which could help park rangers and emergency responders reach visitors more quickly and effectively during emergencies. The bill has passed committee review and is eligible for a floor vote in the Senate.