Stark, Dunn Counties Activate Wireless 911 Program
A national wireless emergency 911 program has been launched in Stark and Dunn counties, N.D.–the first two counties in the state to activate it, according to Stark County Emergency Manager Gary Kostelecky.
Using 16 global positioning system satellites, emergency dispatchers in both counties are now able to pinpoint the location of cell phones when a 911 call is made.
Named Emergency 911 Phase II, the technology determines the exact location of a cell phone 911 call using one of two measures: Global positioning system chips that talk to satellites, or software that traces a phone’s position using signals transmitted to cell towers.
The National Emergency Association estimates that launching a nationwide emergency 911 system could cost up to $8 billion.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Associated Press (05/09/03) .