To prevent unwanted phone solicitation calls from impeding the activity of emergency service providers, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has extended the reach of its Do-Not-Call registry to include public safety answering points (PSAPs).
PSAPs are typically 911 call centers that receive emergency calls and route them to first responders. The FCC estimates that thousands of so-called robocalls are made every day to PSAPs, clogging public safety communications lines and diverting time and attention from the provision of critical emergency services.
According to a Report and Order issued by the Commission in October 2012, a new PSAP Do-Not-Call registry will be established, and PSAPS will be allowed to upload to the registry any number that is associated with the provision of emergency services. In addition, the Report and Order adopts monetary penalties for those who make robocalls to registered emergency service numbers, ranging from $10,000 to as much as $100,000.
