Calling 9-1-1 From A Mobile Phone
When you call 9-1-1 in most parts of the country, emergency responders can find you - even if you don't know where you are or can't communicate. That's because calling 9-1-1 from a landline (a phone connected to the lines on the poles) shows the number and address of the phone you are using on a computer in the dispatch center.
Cell Phones Don't Work the Same
When you make a 9-1-1 call on a cell phone, you are sending signals through the air. The tower that picks up your phone's signal may be near, but that isn't enough to tell the dispatcher where to find you. It's like playing "Marco Polo" in the pool - blindfolded with just sound to guide you.
The Federal Communications Commission has required that all wireless carriers be able to pinpoint your location for the 9-1-1 dispatchers, but the rule is coming in phases and there are plenty of exceptions.
Location, Location, Location
When you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, the call often lands in a regional center. A call-taker in another city or county may answer your call. To get help to you, there are two pieces of information the call-taker needs to know immediately:
- Which city you're calling from
- What type of emergency you have
Different emergency services use different dispatch centers. With the right information, the call-taker will transfer you to the right center.
Any Phone Will Do
Wireless carriers are required to complete 9-1-1 calls, even when the phone is not activated. Any phone that turns on and can receive a signal is capable of making a 9-1-1 call.
The problem is that if the phone you're using isn't activated, there isn't a phone number assigned to it. That means if you're disconnected from the dispatch center, you must call 9-1-1 back. They will not have a way to call you.
Stay calm; Be clear
Professional call-takers are trained to get information from you. They're staring at a computer screen that has all the relevant questions. Listen carefully, and answer as clearly and concisely as possible.
Remember, responders can only respond if they know where they're going. Make sure you get the location as detailed as possible.
The FCC says 30% of all 9-1-1 calls come from cell phones. With this simple advice, you can get the help you need when you call from your cell phone.
Source: Rod Brouhard & About.com
