Pick up your cell phone, and call for help. Will rescue crews be able to find you? Yes, if your phone and the 911 center taking your call are equipped with the right technology.
Recent tragedies, have spurred a public outcry, prompting the government to order cell phone tracking technology be in place by the end of 2006.
Lots of progress is being made, but you shouldn't complete rely on it, just yet.
A call for help comes into the 911 center. It's from a cell phone.
Because the technology is in place at the Onondaga County 911 center, the call taker can successfully track the call.
The impressive technology with impressive results.
“The Red Cross gave one of our telecommunications an award because she helped a woman mauled by a dog in a barn, we were able to find her using the technology and expertise of the people here.”
It's good. It's not perfect. City neighborhoods, with homes close to each other, and apartment buildings can offer tracking challenges. Plus, it's possible your call could end up at a 911 center that is not as advanced as Onondaga County's.
And then, there's the issue of the phones themselves;
Even if it's a new one, it may not have GPS technology. It's important to keep on eye on where you are. Be ready to give an address, and nearest cross street.
“It's critical that everybody understands, we can't say this enough, even though you have a cell phone that gives latitude and longitude, it's still important you know where you are, you have to verbalize it.”
And make sure, if you're buying a new cell phone, that it has GPS technology.
“Press the salesperson, and don't accept an answer like i think it does, we are aware of phones that are being sold that are not GPS capable.”
Onondaga County's 911 center was selected, nationally, to be New York State's 911 role model. The center is now helping others get on board with the wireless technology
