The FCC is considering texting 911 for help in addition to calling.
With this digital age, 70 percent of 911's phone calls are from cell phones. Now, texting and video from your phone may soon be acceptable. In 2001, 911 allowed GPS to track where callers are located when calling for help. Clearly, this has been beneficial to helping those in need.
911 still cannot handle text messages or submitted videos, but the issue is being considered. The ingenious thought sparked 911 call centers when they realized students from Virginia Tech were desperately trying to send text messages when the shooter entered the room. Unfortunately, local dispatchers never received the messages.
In Tuesday's press release, it said, "The technological limitations of 9-1-1 can have tragic, real-world consequences, ... If these messages had gone through, first responders may have arrived on the scene faster with firsthand intelligence about the life-threatening situation that was unfolding."
It's possible allowing text or video messages could save more lives. What do you think?
Here's the article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/TECH/mobile/11/23/fcc.911.texting.wired/index.html
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I hope they are able to add text messaging and video to 911. There are some cases where victims need to quietly communicate with authorities and video would help in knowing exacly what is going on and what approach the police need to take.
I think this is a great idea. For certain situations this would make a great difference in saving people's lives and getting help.
Post a Comment