Enhanced 9-1-1: Understanding the Advanced Emergency Dispatch System

Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) is an advanced emergency dispatch system that uses computer technology to automatically provide emergency responders with the caller’s phone number and location information. This enables emergency services to respond more quickly and accurately to emergency calls.

When a person dials 9-1-1 from a landline phone, the call is automatically routed to the nearest emergency call center, also known as a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). The PSAP operator will answer the call and ask the caller for their location and the nature of the emergency.

With E9-1-1, the caller’s phone number and location information is automatically transmitted to the PSAP along with the call. This eliminates the need for the caller to provide their location information and allows emergency responders to be dispatched to the correct location more quickly.

Additionally, E9-1-1 also allows for text-to-9-1-1 and video-to-9-1-1 capabilities, which enable people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to communicate with emergency services via text message or video call.

In addition to faster and more accurate emergency response, E9-1-1 also allows for better coordination between emergency services. When an emergency call is received, the PSAP operator can access the caller’s location information and immediately notify the appropriate emergency services, such as police, fire, and emergency medical services.

Overall, Enhanced 9-1-1 system is an advanced and effective tool for emergency dispatching and it plays a vital role in saving lives and property. It provides a faster and more accurate response to emergency situations, which is crucial in the fire department’s work.