New technology aids 911 caller location
9-1-1 cellphone caller location assisted through new technology
Effective February 1, the Strathcona Regional Emergency Communications Centre (9-1-1) will be using technology that can locate a cellphone caller within metres of its origin.
"Under the best circumstances, we will be able to locate the cellphone coordinates within 20 metres, up to 90 per cent of the time," says Deputy Fire Chief Ken Jones. "This advancement will greatly increase our ability to help people in an emergency."
The federal telecommunications regulator (CRTC) has required Canada's cellphone providers to begin to use this technology.
Deputy Chief Jones adds, "Up to this point, Emergency Services had virtually no information on where a 9-1-1 cellphone caller was located."
The Strathcona Regional Emergency Communications Centre serves 116 municipalities across northeast Alberta. Almost half of the calls received are from cellphone callers.
"Not all cellphones are created equal and not all cellphone networks are created equal either," says Deputy Chief Jones. "If you plan to use your cellphone in an emergency, we recommend using the best technology combined with always knowing where you are to be able to provide that information."
If a landline is available, it is recommended to use it. With landline calls to 9-1-1, the address is provided to the 9-1-1 centre instantaneously, providing the most reliable tool for emergency notification.
"The new technology will greatly aid us in handling 9-1-1 calls," says Deputy Chief Jones. "We still strongly encourage everyone to be aware of where they are at all times to help speed emergency resources to get to the situation."
Key facts
- It's up to the cellphone provider to choose the type of technology they will use to locate your cellphone.
- Phones produced within the last five years should be equipped with global positioning technology (GPS) which is the most accurate.
- Cellphones produced in the last five years are equipped with this feature, provided the cellphone company chooses to use it.
- Older cellphones may be located with triangulation, which is finding your location from three or more cellphone towers. Triangulation is the least accurate, especially in areas where cellphone towers are spaced far apart. Because of this, a cellphone's location may only be narrowed down to a broad range – anywhere from 10 to 100 kilometres apart.
- Regardless, people need to know where they are at all times and be able to tell that to the 9-1-1 operator.
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Contact: Mayor Cathy Olesen, 780-464-8000
Last updated: Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Page ID: 3751