| You are probably familiar with the number "911", | | | | is usually integrated into the emergency dispatch |
| and know this is an emergency telephone number | | | | center's computer-assisted dispatch system, |
| that provides you immediate contact with | | | | which provides an on-screen street map to the |
| emergency personnel including police, fire and | | | | dispatcher that highlights the position of the caller |
| ambulance. However, there may be another | | | | and the closest emergency responders available. |
| feature of 911 that you are unaware of known | | | | In the case of Wireline (landline) E911, the location |
| as Enhanced 911 (E911). | | | | provided is an address, and for Wireless (cell |
| Enhanced 911 Service is a feature that | | | | phone) E911, the location provided is a coordinate. |
| automatically links a physical address with the | | | | In addition, you should be aware that Enhanced |
| telephone number of the calling party. E911 is a | | | | 911 only works in North America when 911 is |
| North American telephone network feature of the | | | | called. |
| 911 emergency-calling system, and has been | | | | The E911 service has proved to be exceptionally |
| made a requirement by the Wireless | | | | useful in emergency situations when it is difficult |
| Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999. | | | | for a caller to communicate their location, such as |
| E911 generally works through a type of reverse | | | | emergencies that involve break-ins, kidnapping, or |
| phone directory that is provided by the telephone | | | | fire. E911 has shown to be a wonderful asset to |
| company as a computer file, which is utilized to | | | | the 911 emergency-calling system, and because |
| link the caller's telephone number with the physical | | | | of its usefulness and success, it is available for |
| street address. It enables emergency responders | | | | different types of phones including landline phones, |
| to know how to reach the callers location, without | | | | wireless phones, and VoIP phones. |
| the caller having to provide this information. | | | | If you have a cell phone or use a VoIP phone, but |
| A Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is the final | | | | are not sure if your phone features E911, you |
| destination of an E911 call, and is where the | | | | should call your service provider to find out. The |
| operator is located. There could be a number of | | | | reason is because not all wireless and VoIP |
| PSAPs within the same telephone exchange, or a | | | | providers offer the service yet, due to certain |
| single PSAP might cover a variety of exchanges. | | | | technical difficulties. |
| The territories a single PSAP covers is not based | | | | Furthermore, keep in mind that although 911 is the |
| on telecommunication issues as much as on | | | | number you dial in serious emergencies, there are |
| historical and legal police considerations. The vast | | | | other services you can rely on for other minor |
| majority of PSAPs feature a regional Emergency | | | | phone "emergencies" such as a reverse phone |
| Service Number - a number that identifies the | | | | search when you need to lookup the owner of a |
| Public Safety Answering Point. | | | | phone number here to find out more about who |
| The information regarding the location of the caller | | | | an unknown caller is. |