Enhanced 911 services, launched Canada-wide this week, can now provide the approximate location of a person placing an emergency 911 call on a cell phone, says Doug Currie, Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Public Safety.
Throughout the past six months, testing has been carried out across Prince Edward Island on technologies and systems which can determine and display the location information for a cell phone from which an emergency 911 call was placed.
“Islanders and visitors who are calling 911 in an emergency want help immediately whether they are calling from a land-line or a cell phone,” said Minister Currie. “I am pleased that this enhanced service will enable the 911 call taker to more quickly and effectively route cell phone callers to the appropriate emergency response agency for the area. ”
However, the Minister said, there are limitations to the system depending on the location of the call, the local environment and the technology employed. Cell phone users should always provide the 911 call taker with their location as best they can. As well, keep in mind the new service does not provide a street address or apartment number, or information about movement if the handset is in motion.
When calling 911, remain calm and speak clearly. Identify the nature of your emergency, and provide your 10-digit cell phone number. Do not hang up until the operator advises you to do so. Remain on the line to provide additional information if requested. After hanging up, leave your cell phone turned on in case the operator has to call you back.
“I want to thank the local wireless service providers, Bell/Aliant, Rogers and Telus, who working in cooperation with the PEI Office of Public Safety, have invested substantial resources and time to introduce this enhancement to 911 service,” said Minister Currie.
Wireless service providers have been sending information about the enhancements to their subscribers. Customers are encouraged to contact their wireless service provider with any questions about 911 service in their area.
BACKGROUNDER:
If I call 911 from a cell phone, can my location be identified by the 911 system? On February 1, 2010, enhanced 911 service for cell phone users was launched across Canada. Now, when someone calls 911 from a cell phone, the operator will receive information based on the longitude and latitude coordinates of where the cell phone caller is located. This new technology provides the approximate location of the cell handset but does not provide an exact “pinpoint location.”
Is the new service available everywhere in PEI?
Yes, in Prince Edward Island this system is fully operational. Wireless service providers (Bell/Aliant, Rogers and Telus) have deployed the technology across their coverage areas. However, cell phone users should still be prepared to provide a 911 call taker with their location as best they can.
How will I know if my service provider is providing this new enhanced 911 service in my area?
You may have already received, or will receive, information about the enhancements to 911 from your wireless service provider. Customers are encouraged to contact their wireless service provider with any questions about 911 service in their area.
Is this new service dependent on what kind of cell phone I have?
Most cell phones on the market today are designed to automatically allow the provision of handset location technology for calls to 911. Customers should contact their wireless service provider if they have any questions about their handset and/or the location identification technology used by their provider.
What if I don't want my location information supplied to the 911 centre? Can I turn off this feature from my cell phone?
GPS functionality can be turned off by cell phone users. However, the 911 call may override GPS functionality that has been turned off on a cell phone. In addition, some wireless service providers may employ non-GPS technology known as triangulation, or may be using a combination of GPS and triangulation, to provide the enhanced location information. Even though the 911 call taker may now receive handset location information, it is important for cell phone users to remember they should always try to assist the 911 call taker by providing their exact location as best they can.
Do I have to make any changes to my cell phone in order to receive this new service?
No. Most cell phones on the market today are designed to automatically allow the provision of handset location technology for calls to 911. Customers should contact their wireless service provider if they have any questions about their handset and/or the location identification technology used by their provider.
Will this work on my prepaid cell phone?
Yes. The location identification information will be provided to the 911 call taker if you are using either a prepaid or postpaid service.
Can I still call 911 from a deactivated cell phone?
Possibly. In some cases, a call to 911 from a deactivated cell phone will reach a 911 operator. However, because that phone is not associated with any particular wireless service provider, the 911 operator will not be supplied with a dial-able phone number. In the event of a call disruption, the call taker would not be able to call back. The operator may receive information about the cell site or cell tower that is transmitting the call, but they will not be provided with longitude and latitude coordinates.
What happens if I am travelling outside of PEI and I have to call 911 from a cell phone in an area where there is no 911 coverage?
Not all local provincial governments in Canada operate 911 systems. Wireless carriers endeavour to route 911 calls to an appropriate call-taking agency (the local police department, for example) in areas where no 911 service exists. However, if you routinely use your cell phone in areas where a 911 system does not exist, you should record the phone numbers for local police, fire and ambulance services.
Should I pre-program 911 into my cell phone?
No. In Prince Edward Island it is illegal to program the number “911” on any speed dial feature of any communication device.
What should people keep in mind when calling 911 from their cell phones?
Remain calm and speak clearly. Identify which emergency services you require – police, fire or ambulance – and be prepared to answer the following questions: What is your 10-digit cell phone number? What is the location? What is the emergency? Please remain on the line to provide additional information if requested by the call-taker. Do not hang up until the operator advises you to do so. After hanging up, leave your cell phone turned on in case the operator must call you back.
Can I send a text message to 911?
No. Currently, 911 call centres are not equipped to receive text messages.
Something to keep in mind, however, is that during a large scale provincial emergency when phone lines could be overloaded, you may be able to reach a friend or loved one quicker through a text message than a voice call. And, by texting during a large-scale emergency, you can free up voice lines for emergency officials to use.
For more information, contact your cell phone service provider or the 911 Administration office at (902) 894-0385, Toll Free at (877) 894-0385, email 911@gov.pe.ca or online at www.peipublicsafety.ca.