911 call location!!!!!

[Gem99ultra]

Irregularities in 911 service seems to be common. In my case I'm in mid-Georgia. If I call 911 it connects me to emergency service in Dallas, Texas. 911 service rep has advised to announce my exact location immediately when assistance is needed.

 

[ericm979]

911 location is different from the devices's internet location. Among other reasons, 911 location has to work on phones that do not have internet or GPS. GPS location is another completely different system.

Here is a document that explains a bit about the required 911 location services (scroll down): 911 Wireless Services | Federal Communications Commission

Note that carriers can file with the FCC for exceptions in areas where it's too difficult to do the location: "The FCC permits exclusions only where wireless carriers determine that providing location accuracy is limited, or technologically impossible, because of either heavy forestation or the inability to triangulate a caller's location"

When i have had to call 911 in the mountains I live in, it's been difficult to get a signal and I've had to provide the location of the incident.

 

[CincyFlyer]

In Cincinnati we just had a case of kid trapped at school. Because 911 just had address police did not find kid. Check to make sure device is transmitting location also

Well, the problem with that is that they DID find the van, they just didn't look inside, and the kid died trapped under the seat.

 

[PILOON]

Even with GPS you get errors.
In many cases I've known GPS to take U to a different location as much as many 1000 ft away.
A friend's business is 1000 or so ft from his competitor and potential clients often get led to the wrong location.


Just last winter a car almost ended up in my kitchen because a neighbor's visitor used GPS to guide him. He lives within 1/4 mile from me, long drive and down hill like me.
Problem was I had to get dressed, start my tractor and chain the 'visitor' up my hill as he simply could mo get out without 4 WD.

My experience is GPS is dead accurate to get U back to a saved location but only so so to precisely get you somewhere.

 

[LMychajluk]

@OP - Curious as to which system you used. Does the system connect to your Mom's phone to make the call? Or does it have it's own line on the wireless plan? It's relevant because any location data would come from the device initiating the 911 call. My Mom's phone is at least 10 years old...I'm sure the newer ones have better hardware to support the e911 services.

 

[Fuddy1952]

The local sheriff is a friend of mine and between him and 911 supervisor they got it resolved so now it will show address with number. They were amazed how by pinging off towers address didn't show up.
My point was it may be a good idea to call local dispatch non emergency number to be 100% sure that home phone shows correct address since a lot of emergencies they may get 911 call and person unable to talk or give address.

 

[Rock knocker]

In Cincinnati we just had a case of kid trapped at school. Because 911 just had address police did not find kid. Check to make sure device is transmitting location also

My friends nephew

 

[plowhog]

Relying on cell signal triangulation during an emergency is a very bad idea.

I don't know about your relative's phone model, but I do know that with an Android smart phone you can turn on "Advanced Calling" and then enter your physical address where the phone is located. That way if 911 is dialed the street address is sent at the same time. Maybe something to check out with this particular phone model?

 

[bigtiller]

Pizza Hut knows where my pizza is, why doesn't 911 know where I'm at?

We use Smart911

Click on the link and fill in as much or as little information as you like. After that, 911 will know where home is. That's the catch. You have to be at the address that you provided in the link. Also we have to renew the info every 6 months simply by opening their website.

When we get older we probably will get a system like Fuddy has. A button dangling on a necklace would be handy.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Here's the one I ordered from Wal-Mart...

LogicMark Freedom Alert Emergency Alert System, 1ct*
$190.99 $190.99Order number : *4401884-566575

The reason is no monthly fee. It's great because the small device you carry has a belt clip+wrist strap+lanyard. It has a long enough range so in yard, etc.ok.
It has a built in speaker and mic so when it calls #s you can talk...if no answer it calls 911.
Mom doesn't have a computer or smart phone so 911 app won't work. She and we have Straight Talk phone service...$15/month. Free long distance.
All one has to do is call their local dispatch to be sure their address is listed, which is best.
This system I bought has rechargeable batteries...alerts when button you carry needs charging every few months. Battery back up if power goes out.