W. Va. Code R. § 150-25-3

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section 150-25-3 - Local Emergency Telephone Systems

3.1. Creation of emergency telephone systems.

3.1.1. A public agency may establish, consistent with these Rules, an emergency telephone system within its respective jurisdiction. Nothing herein contained, however, will be construed to prohibit or discourage in any way the establishment of multi-jurisdictional or regional systems, and any system established may include only a portion of the territory of a public agency. To the extent feasible, these systems will be centralized.

3.1.2. Every system will provide access to emergency services organizations, police, fire-fighting, and emergency medical and ambulance services and may provide access to other emergency services. The system may also provide access to private ambulance services. The system may also provide the necessary mechanical equipment at the established public agency answering point to allow deaf persons access to the system. In those areas in which a public safety unit of the State provides emergency services, the system will provide access to the public safety unit.

3.1.3. The number "9-1-1" will be used as the primary emergency number whenever practicable. If the use of the number "9-1-1" is not practicable, the telephone utility or companies will make application to this Commission in order to use an alternate emergency telephone number. The Commission encourages the use of "1-9-1-1" as the alternate emergency telephone number.

3.1.4. The telephone utility in the normal course of replacing or making major modifications to its switching equipment will include the capability of providing for the emergency telephone system and will bear all costs related thereto. All charges for other services and facilities provided by the telephone utility, including the provision of distribution facilities and station equipment, will be paid for by the public agency or public safety unit in accordance with the applicable tariff rates then in effect for such services and facilities.

3.2. Establishment of emergency telephone systems.

3.2.1. The telephone utility when establishing a new wire center or when replacing the switching equipment for any existing wire center will insure that the new switching equipment contains the capability of providing emergency telephone system services.

3.2.2. The telephone utility will design the switching equipment used in all new wire centers and in the replacement of existing wire centers to be capable of accessing emergency services by using the telephone number "9-1-1".

3.2.3. The telephone utility when modifying the existing switching equipment in any wire center will configure the equipment in a manner that will most easily facilitate the implementation of an emergency telephone system in that wire center, using the telephone number "9-1-1", if practicable.

3.2.4. Under normal circumstances, the telephone utility will respond within ninety (90) days to any application for emergency telephone service made by a public agency, emergency services organization or public safety unit. This response will show the projected cost of the system to the maker of the application and the projected date on which emergency telephone service can be established. A copy of this response will be filed with the Commission.

3.2.5. Under normal circumstances where equipment is available, the telephone utility will have as its objective the satisfaction of all requests for the establishment of emergency telephone service within nine (9) months of the date of a firm order for such service. Under all circumstances, emergency telephone service should be established within twenty-four (24) months of the date of such firm order received by the telephone utility.

3.2.6. The telephone utility will report to the Commission any request for emergency telephone service it is unable to satisfy within nine (9) months of any application therefor.

3.2.7. The provision of emergency telephone service will be made under tariffs approved by this Commission.

3.2.8. In political jurisdictions served by more than one (1) telephone utility, the telephone utilities will cooperate in establishing an emergency telephone system. The Utilities Division of this Commission will, upon request, assist in the coordination of the different telephone utilities. In these political jurisdictions, the telephone utilities will have as their objective the satisfaction of all requests for an emergency telephone system within nine (9) months of the date a firm order for such system is received. Under all circumstances, emergency telephone service should be established within twenty-four (24) months of the date of such firm order received by the telephone utility.

3.2.9. The telephone utilities will report to the Commission any request for emergency telephone systems involving more then one (1) utility which cannot be established within one (1) year of the date a firm order is received.

3.3. Reporting requirements of the telephone utility. The telephone utility, before establishing any wire center, replacing any wire center or making major modifications to any wire center, will furnish the Commission with plans showing that it has complied with the requirements of these Rules. "Major Modifications" is hereby defined to be a central office modification affecting level assignments, thousands levels or trunking.

3.4. 9-1-1 Rule regarding telephone directory emergency numbers pages.

3.4.1. Telephone directories will list, on the inside of the directory front cover or on the front page of the directory, otherwise known as the emergency calling information page, all emergency service providers accessible from the exchanges covered by the directory on a local call and/or 9-1-1 basis: Provided, That, if a 9-1-1 system serves any portion of the area covered by the directory, the emergency calling information page will boldly and prominently display the 9-1-1 telephone number. Furthermore, all major public agencies such as, municipal police, fire, ambulance, sheriff and state police, that are accessible by calling 9-1-1 will be listed in close proximity to the 9-1-1 listing along with the appropriate agency generic symbols.

3.4.2. Each telephone directory will have a page immediately following the emergency calling information page which will clearly list the name and seven (7) digit non-emergency administrative telephone number of each individual emergency services provider which serves any portion of the area covered by the telephone directory. Such listings will be grouped by service type (e.g., ambulance, fire, law enforcement, rescue, etc.) and the listings will be arranged alphabetically within the service type grouping. Where appropriate, subgrouping by county may be done. The seven (7) digit non-emergency administrative telephone number of each 9-1-1 Public Safety Answering Point which serves any portion of the area covered by the telephone directory will be prominently displayed at the top of the page.

3.4.3. Where an entire directory coverage area is not covered by 9-1-1, the emergency calling information page will list the seven (7) digit telephone numbers of all directory coverage area Public Safety Units not accessible by calling 9-1-1. The emergency calling information page will, at least, clearly show which emergency calls should be made to 9-1-1 and which should be made to other emergency telephone numbers listed on the page.

3.4.4. Additional information regarding emergency calling, as is beneficial to the public interest, may appear on the emergency calling information page.

3.4.5. Each and every local exchange telephone carrier responsible for a telephone directory emergency calling information page will submit each emergency calling information page and the page immediately following to the Public Service Commission for review, by informally filing same with the Public Service Commission's Telecommunications Section, before said pages are published. Such submittals will be sent at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the deadline for making changes.

W. Va. Code R. § 150-25-3