FLORENCE, WI -- When emergencies occur, every second counts. Sheriff Jeff Rickaby says when you dial 911 from a cell phone, most, but not all, provide emergency responders with your location.
“When you dial 911 on your wireless phone, it will search for satellites,” says Rickaby. “Once it finds those satellites, it begins to narrow down your location.”
Typically lower-costing basic or no-frill phones are the ones that won't provide a location, and in emergency situations, timing is everything.
“If you’re unable to respond to the 911 dispatcher, we won't know where you are,” Rickaby explains.
Approximately 60 to 70 percent of all 911 calls are made with cell phones as opposed to 30 to 35 percent that make them with landlines. If you have a choice, landlines are the most reliable.
Landlines automatically connect you to the closest dispatcher. Sheriff Rickaby has received 911 calls from Marquette because cell phones will find the best, rather than closest, signal to connect to.
“In a case where you’re in a building with a landline phone, please use the landline phone. It’s just the fastest way to get services,” Rickaby explains.
Lastly is computer-based or voice-over IP systems such as Vonage. The account is registered to your home address and calls are made through a computer.
When you call 911, emergency responders will be provided with your home address regardless of where you call from. In addition, if you are out of state, you will still get connected to the local dispatcher near the registered address as opposed to where you may be.
When you purchase a cell phone, ask if it's GPS-capable, and for computer-based phones, remember that it may not provide police officers the best information if you're in an emergency situation.
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