Dispatchers slow to adopt text-to-911 tech

[brahmanknight]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires wireless carriers to provide this text-to-911 service. And since the end of last year, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have done that. But that's just the first step.

Text-to-911 only works when the local emergency dispatch center upgrades its systems to handle text messages - and most have not. But so far, only five percent of the 6,500 call centers in the U.S. are equipped to receive and respond to texts, according to the latest figures from the FCC.

The FCC does not have the authority to require 911 dispatch centers to upgrade their systems, so Congress is being asked to do it.

Lisabeth (not her real name) is a 25-year-old mother of two who escaped a long-term abusive relationship. She now lives in a shelter near Los Angeles. She told NBC News about the night her boyfriend broke into her house, having beaten her earlier in the day. Lisabeth hid in the bathroom and called for help.

"I was whispering, so he couldn't hear me, but he caught me on the phone, beat me again and broke the phone," she recalled. "I wish I would have had the chance to text message for someone to come and help me. Maybe things wouldn't have escalated the way they did."


http://www.nbcnews.com/business/con...-adopt-lifesaving-text-911-technology-n372321

 

[fabknight]

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires wireless carriers to provide this text-to-911 service. And since the end of last year, AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon have done that. But that's just the first step.

Text-to-911 only works when the local emergency dispatch center upgrades its systems to handle text messages - and most have not. But so far, only five percent of the 6,500 call centers in the U.S. are equipped to receive and respond to texts, according to the latest figures from the FCC.

The FCC does not have the authority to require 911 dispatch centers to upgrade their systems, so Congress is being asked to do it.

Lisabeth (not her real name) is a 25-year-old mother of two who escaped a long-term abusive relationship. She now lives in a shelter near Los Angeles. She told NBC News about the night her boyfriend broke into her house, having beaten her earlier in the day. Lisabeth hid in the bathroom and called for help.

"I was whispering, so he couldn't hear me, but he caught me on the phone, beat me again and broke the phone," she recalled. "I wish I would have had the chance to text message for someone to come and help me. Maybe things wouldn't have escalated the way they did."


http://www.nbcnews.com/business/con...-adopt-lifesaving-text-911-technology-n372321

I wonder what Lisabeth did to make her significant other angry.

 

[Happy Hands]

I'd like to see the texts they get.

"OMG house on fire "

"rapist chasing me, k?Lol"

 

[LittleMissKnight]

I've actually always thought this was smart because if you're hiding, the last thing you need is to give away your location to an assailant.

 

[Game_Day_Sports]

I am sure it isn't cheap either along with the inability to filter the large number of fake reports.

 

[LittleMissKnight]

I am sure it isn't cheap either along with the inability to filter the large number of fake reports.

My first thought would be to institude a very heavy fine/punishment for false alarms because this is a system that can be even more easily abused than calling, so you'd want to go big on a deterrant for fake texts.

I still think it's worthwhile in cases of domestic abuse, kidnapping, intruders, etc.

 

[UCFEE]

I've actually always thought this was smart because if you're hiding, the last thing you need is to give away your location to an assailant.

#WhitePeopleWorries

 

[UCF11and1]

Don't need it if you have a gun. Amirite? Shoot and then make a phone call like normal people.

 

[LittleMissKnight]

#WhitePeopleWorries

Or, you know, something that is a genuine concern to most people and specifically women.