One of COMCARE's greatest achievements to date was successfully advocating the passage of the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act (WiCAPS) of 1999 .

Citizens calling 9-1-1 on their wireless phones in emergencies can often mean the difference between life and death -- between quick treatment and recovery or delays that translate into long term disabilities. The law is a major building block towards COMCARE's vision of an end-to-end emergency communications system. It establishes 9-1-1 as the universal emergency telephone number in America, and encourages states to begin coordinated planning efforts to establish statewide emergency communications networks. The law reduces emergency response time and ensures that appropriate care is provided in emergency situations.

This bill removes an obstacle to the deployment of wireless location information by providing wireless users, operators and carriers with liability parity to relevant wireline state laws (standard determined on state by state basis). The bill addresses privacy concerns by banning the use of location information except with the permission of the subscriber or for emergencies. The legislation also directs the Federal Communications Commission to play an active role in encouraging states to develop plans to upgrade their wireless emergency communications systems and coordinate these efforts with the appropriate stakeholders.

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