Cells and 911

[AzCards21]

I had a wreck happen right in front of me the other day. Not just an average fender bender either so I called 911 right away because I figured there would be injuries.

Anyway, I call and give them the information and then go to call my office to tell them I'll be late. Only my phone is now locked out and say's "Emergency Mode" on the screen. Now this may be coincidence but about a minute after the emergency crews arrived a cop came by and asked who made the call. I told him I did and my phone rang shortly after and was out of "Emergency Mode".

Since then I've been wondering if they do that for triangulation off of the cell towers to locate the scene? Just in case someone is flustered and gives the wrong intersection maybe?

Does anyone know why they do that?

 

[Kel Varnsen]

Wow. That's pretty interesting. Curious to read responses.

 

[maddogkf]

http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid7_gci753924,00.html

Triangulation is how they do it. Here's why they do it:

All phones made in 2005 & later have to be equiped with E911 to locate a person when they call 911. E911 is "enhanced 911" and is basically the ability for emergency services to locate the position of a cell-phone caller with the same efficiency as they can locate a land-line caller.

Landline telco's (telephone company) pass along the physical address where the phone number is wired in to emergency services - it pops up right on their screen with the ph#. Cell phones don't have an exact physical address since they are - SURPRIZE!! - mobile.

Phase 1 (I believe) was when the carriers shared with emergency services the location of the cell tower being used to transmit the call, but in flat rural areas, 1 cell tower could transmit over a 20 mile radius! Pie-R-squared equals a potential search radius of 1256 sq miles!!!!!

Phase 2 is 3 part- the phone has a scaled-down GPS chip which is supposedly hack-proof, (so don't bother trying to tap into it if somehouw you can actually find it in the phone) The carrier has software that interfaces with the phone's GPS chip when in "emergency mode", and the local 911 call center has software to communicate with the carrier.

If your phone has a GPS indicator on the screen (Kyo uses the cross-hairs & a red slash means its 911-only mode) then it is compliant.

 

[AzCards21]

Hah! Maddog comes through again!

 

[Linderbee]

I've called 911 from my cell a few times (needed directions in Scottsdale), and although the "emergency mode" came up, I was able to take it out without a problem. Both on my Cricket Motorola phone & my BlackBerry. I wonder if they're non-compliant?

Also, what good would it do to have them locate you if you don't stay at the scene? I would think that would sometimes hinder their search--but I guess a general idea of where you are is better than none, so nevermind that thought!







j/k about needing directions in Scottsdale

 

[Brian in Mesa]

I have an ancient phone, but if I call 911 it goes into emergency mode. It's easy to click out of (scroll down option on my phone).

 

[UncleChris]

Also, what good would it do to have them locate you if you don't stay at the scene? I would think that would sometimes hinder their search--but I guess a general idea of where you are is better than none, so nevermind that thought!

Two reasons here...
1. If you're a victim, don't know where you are, and can't move and stuff, the cops and/or fire fighters can find you better.

2. They can better nail down prank calls.