Introduction
E911, or Enhanced 911, is a system that provides emergency responders with the precise location information of a caller when they dial the emergency number (911 in the United States and Canada). Unlike basic 911 services that only provide the caller's phone number, E911 goes further by automatically transmitting the caller's location to the emergency services dispatcher. This location information is crucial for a swift and accurate response in emergency situations.
Why does it Matter?
To comply with Kari's Law, Ray Baum Act, and PA Title 35, we must ensure of the following.
- Ensure that the systems support 911 direct dialing (not having to dial a "9" to get an outside line)
- Notify a central location on-site or off-site where someone is likely to see or hear the notification
- Ensure that a “dispatchable location” is conveyed with 911 calls to dispatch centers.
- Dispatchable location means a location delivered to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) with a 911 call that consists of the validated street address of the calling party, plus additional information such as suite, apartment, or similar information necessary to adequately identify the location of the calling party.
Significance of Accurate Location Information
Accurate location information is a fundamental component of effective emergency response systems and has far-reaching implications for public safety, health, and overall community well-being. It empowers emergency services and relevant authorities to make informed decisions and take swift actions in critical situations.
Maintaining the E911 databases presents some challenges if IT is not aware of a phone relocation, therefore IT needs to be notified of ANY Telephone relocation. This places the responsibility on University staff, faculty and on site affiliates to keep IT informed when phone lines are moved by notifying the appropriate IT Staff to ensure systems are updated as needed. There are mechanisms in place for IT to be aware of phone moves, but it is best practice to notify IT anytime a phone needs to be relocated/updated.
Additional Resources
State & Federal Laws
Procedures for Handling Telephone Moves
IT Staff Instructions: Maintaining Cisco Emergency Responder E911 Database