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From: JDurand@cup.portal.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: E911 -- All Operators Are Busy
Message-ID: <10198@accuvax.nwu.edu>
Date: 27 Jul 90 16:43:16 GMT
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X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 10, Issue 523, Message 6 of 10


I've reported two auto accidents through 911 using my cellular phone
(which is on GTE Mobilnet).  The calls were intercepted by "GTE 911"
and one call was forwarded to the real 911 after they determined that
I was the first person reporting the accident.  This seems to be a
good way to reduce the load on 911 since I would assume most auto
accident reports now come from cellular phones.  They also did not ask
me who I was, so I guess ANI works all the way to the real 911.


Jerry Durand
jdurand@cup.portal.com


[Moderator's Note: On my way home from downtown tonight, two cars just
ahead of my taxicab collided when one tried to change lanes. I used my
cell phone to call it in. Our options here are to dial *999 for the
Illinois State Police Expressway Patrol, or dial '0' and ask the
operator for the Chicago Police Emergency line (911 from a landline
phone). I dialed the operator. She knew I was using a cellular unit,
by the way she answered me: "Good evening, mobile! How can I help
you?" I asked for Chicago Emergency; she put me through.  The
dispatcher took the information and asked if I had noticed any
injuries. I told her it appeared everyone had gotten out of the two
vehicles under their own power.

Since I happened to also have my Radio Shack PRO-34 scanner with me, I
turned it on immediatly. Within thirty seconds, the dispatcher was
giving it out: "Half a block north of Addison on the LSD" (Lake Shore
Drive) ... " Two car collision, no injuries noted. From a citizen,
refused." (I had not been asked, and had not given my name). "Whose
going?" (Two or three cars answered).  "Alright, now I've got three
calls on it, one says there are injuries; Fire is rolling ... they'll
meet nineteen and double duece there".  Before we had gotten a mile
further north, two speeding police cars and an ambulance passed us
going south.  Generally, Chicago Emergency works quite well.  PT]