My Cell Phone & 9-1-1
Call 9-1-1 whenever you need emergency help from police, fire,
or emergency medical personnel. Identify yourself as a wireless
caller. Be ready to provide your wireless phone number and the exact
location where help is needed. Wireless 9-1-1 calls do not always
provide your location. When they do provide your location it is
not very precise and must be augmented with your information.
There were two phases to the implementation of 9-1-1 to wireless
or cellular phones. The process was managed and dictated by the
Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Phase I
An FCC benchmark of wireless E9-1-1 implementation that provides
a PSAP with a wireless caller's call-back number and tower (cell
site/face info, which indicates the general area of coverage for
that face or sector information) from which the call originated.
When phase I has been implemented, a wireless 9-1-1 call is received
by the PSAP with the wireless phone number. This is important in
the event the wireless phone call is dropped, and may even allow
PSAP employees to work with the wireless provider to identify the
wireless subscriber.
Phase II
To locate wireless 9-1-1 callers, phase II must have been implemented
in the area by local 9-1-1 systems and wireless carriers. Phase
II allows call takers to receive both the caller's wireless phone
number and their location information automatically. The wireless
carriers have various FCC requirements between 2003 and the end
of 2005 for completion of phase II service in the United States.
Wireless PSAP readiness
Before wireless 9-1-1 phase II can be implemented in an area, the
PSAP must demonstrate:
- That it is ready to take wireless 9-1-1 calls.
- A mechanism is in place by which the PSAP will recover its costs
of the facilities and equipment necessary to receive an utilize
the E9-1-1 data elements.
- The PSAP has ordered the equipment necessary to receive and
utilize the E9-1-1 data and the equipment will be installed and
capable of receiving an utilizing that data no later than six
months following its request; and
- The PSAP has made a timely request to the appropriate local
exchange carrier (LEC) for the necessary circuits and other facilities,
including any necessary automatic location identification (ALI)
database upgrades, to enable the E9-1-1 data to e transmitted
to the PSAP.
When you dial 9-1-1...
State the nature of the emergency
The exact location, including cross streets,
mileposts or landmarks. (Remember, we may not know where you
are. You must be able to provide the location of the emergency before
help can be sent.)
Your name and the wireless phone number including
area code that you are calling from.
If your 9-1-1 call is disconnected call 9-1-1
again.
Stay calm and answer all questions. Do not
hang up until told to do so. Once you hang up, keep the power on
to your wireless phone in case the 9-1-1 center needs to call you
back.
What can I do for 9-1-1?
Only call 9-1-1 when you need a response
from the police, fire department, or emergency medical personnel.
Do not call 9-1-1 for information. If your situation is not critical,
wait until you can safely look up the appropriate business number
in the phone book.
Your wireless phone may be pre-programmed
to dial 9-1-1 with one button. You may accidentally dial 9-1-1
and not know it. Hand your phone carefully to prevent the automatic
misdialing of 9-1-1.
Be aware of your location when calling
9-1-1.
Parents: Teach your children how to use
your wireless phone to dial 9-1-1.
Driving Safety Tips
Driving safety is your #1 priority while
in the car. If you are in immediate danger, if possible move to
safety before calling
9-1-1. Do not let your wireless phone distract you from driving.
To ensure your safety and the safety of others:
- Always buckle up and make sure others
in your care are wearing their seat belts.
- Keep both hands on the wheel and your
eyes on the road.
- If you must make or answer a phone
call, pull off the road to a safe location.
- Allow voice mail to handle your calls
and return them at your convenience.
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