I Viz RI Rhode Island consistently diverts 911 fees to the state’s General Fund. Since 2008 the FCC has been releasing Annual Reports to Congress tracking states funding of 911 and the different metrics around the funding. In 2016 RI was one of 6 other states that diverted 911 fees collecting $14,021,695 ($13.32 per capita). Rhode Island sends 90% of this directly into the state’s General Fund with the remaining 10% being used for the states Information Technology Fund. The state funds the 911 system through the General Fund giving $4,388,356 for personnel cost and another $1,215,508 for operation totaling $5,633,864 equaling 40% of the total amount collected for 911 purposes.
RI employs 27 Full Time Telecommunicators and received 496,401 calls in 2016, totaling 18,385 per employee
and 0.47 calls per capita. Ranking 33rd in calls however 3rd highest in calls per employee (only
29 states have employee data). RI 911 Telecommunicators make $43,121 on average. Since 2011
employees are down 23% and overtime has increased by 130%.
In 2016 the FCC asked all states to provide an estimate of the total cost to provide 911 service regardless
of whether such costs are supported by 911 fees or other funding sources. Rhode Island gave an
estimate of $5,699,440 ($5.41 per capita) which makes the $14,021,695 collected 246% the cost needed
to fund the 911 system. Which, if the estimate is accurate means RI has been underfunding 911 for the
past 7-8 years ($65,576 short in 2016).
As for what the future holds $255,869 (1.8%) has been spent towards upgrading to Next Generation 911
(text 911). The FCC has notified Rhode Island in writing several times that fees collected for 911 services
and technology should not be diverted to other purposes, including the state’s general fund. Following
these warnings Regulators with the Federal Communications Commission said Rhode Island is one of
several states now blocked from applying for some federal public safety grants due to its diversion of
911 fees to its general fund.
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