Long term 911 system 'may accept textual content and video messages'

The US Federal Communication Commission (FCC) is taking into consideration updating the 911 emergency call system to accept picture, textual content and video messages. terrence43 auto insurance quotes

Roughly 70% of 911 calls are currently being constructed from mobile telephones, mentioned FCC chairman Julius Genachowski.

However the 911 system will not at the moment "support the communication resources of tomorrow", he extra.

The FCC mentioned the Virginia Tech massacre was an incident when 911 multimedia technological know-how could have been employed.

Thirty-two persons have been left lifeless just after a pupil opened fire around the Virginia Tech university campus in 2007.

"Some students and witnesses attempted to textual content 911 throughout that emergency and as we all know, these messages certainly not went as a result of and have been certainly not acquired by local 911 dispatchers," Mr Genachowski mentioned.

But these multimedia messages might quickly be answered as a consequence of broadband-enabled Following Era 911, Mr Genachowski mentioned, inside a speech at the Arlington County Emergency Center in Virginia.

"Even though mobile phones are the system of option for many 911 callers, and we mostly use our phones to textual content, immediately, you can't textual content 911. It is time to deliver 911 to the digital age."
Complicated system

A system that will make it easy for individuals to report crimes without being heard could also be used in predicaments ranging from kidnappings to robberies.

Mr Genachowski extra that texting is also a specifically helpful form of communication for individuals that are deaf and other individuals that has a array of disabilities.

But modifications to your complicated 911 system are unable to take place overnight, nor without a vote from the FCC.

The final massive alter to your emergency system by the FCC occurred in 2001, once the group necessary mobile cell phone carriers to allow them to pinpoint a caller's geographic area both as a result of GPS and by triangulating a caller's area as a result of cellular phone towers.

Established in 1968, the 911 emergency system handles over 230m calls per yr.