In an effort to maintain accurate GIS data that supports Next Generation 9-1-1 best practices, new tools are always in development to make a 9-1-1 caller’s location information as accurate as possible. We in the 9-1-1 industry are starting to see new opportunities in wireless location accuracy with RapidSOS, and now new technology like the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District 9-1-1’s UAS Program is changing the way 9-1-1 collects and uploads location data.

The ALI information provided by the carriers gives the exact address of a landline to dispatchers, and this addressing information is collected early on in the addressing process when new neighborhoods and regions are in development. Unfortunately, the current process for collecting GIS information for new subdivision means it can take weeks before the data is available to PSAPs, especially in rural areas. The GIS team of the NCT9-1-1 Program is leading the way on utilizing drones to create a faster process for addressing streets within new neighborhoods, and their recent pilot flight demonstrated that this technology can cut down the addressing process dramatically.

The images below demonstrate how an aerial view provided by drones can aid in mapping new subdivisions so that the information can later be uploaded for 9-1-1 call takers.

The traditional addressing method involves either utilizing hand-drawn plats from the county appraisal office, or driving new roads with GPS devices and then digitizing the information to be uploaded for PSAP use. The entire process can take anywhere from two to four weeks, which means residents could already be living in subdivisions that have yet to be addressed. The use of drones to capture the data of new subdivisions cuts this time down to only a few hours, accelerating the planning process significantly and letting PSAPs get access to that data in a much shorter timeframe.

Georeferencing with drones is just the first step for this new technology in the public safety industry. The potential this technology has to improve location accuracy starts with collecting addressing information, but has the potential to assist with subaddressing multistory buildings, and can be used to predict flood forecasting and for search and rescue.

On Thursday, September 1, the North Central Texas 9-1-1 Program awarded outstanding telecommunicators, agencies, and communication teams with the Annual 9-1-1 Awards. These awards are presented to individuals or groups who show an outstanding commitment to the 9-1-1 industry. We are proud to have so many dedicated professionals working with us to help save lives every day. Congratulations to the 9-1-1 Annual Award Winners!

2018 Telecommunicator of the Year
Debra Murray, Ellis County Sheriff's Office

2018 Telecommunications Team of the Year
Kaufman County Sheriff's Office

2018 Public Education Professional of the Year
Isis Valdivia, Corsicana Police Department

2018 Supervisor of the Year
Jennifer Humphries, Allen Police Department

2018 Training Professional of the Year
Jenna Whittle, Wise County Sheriff's Office

2018 TDD/TTY Above and Beyond
Collin County Sheriff's Office

2018 Agency of the Year
Northern Ellis Emergency Dispatch Center

The 9-1-1 Professionalism Award

Bonnie Bowers
Collin County Sheriff's Office

Trey Thornhill
Wise County Sheriff's Office

Laura Saulters
Collin County Sheriff's Office

Caylin Milligan
Corsicana Police Department

Sheyen Means
Johnson County Sheriff's Office

Randi Wiggins
McKinney Police Department

Ester Avery
Navarro County Sheriff's Office

Kassie Ivanoski
Mineral Wells Police Department

Amanda Atchinson
Stephenville Police Department

Jamie Gibson
Allen Police Department

This morning I have been thinking about Neil Armstrong and his famous quote, “One small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”  Supplemental Location for 9-1-1 might come a bit short of walking on the moon, but it is a major advancement for our public safety industry. On Monday, September 17, 2018, Commercial Supplemental Location officially launched in the North Central Texas Council of Governments 9-1-1 (NCTCOG 9-1-1) region on Apple phones that have installed iOS 12.  Today, Google announced that Android phones will also provide supplemental location.

I started my career in 9-1-1 prior to wireless phones.  As a public educator, I was able to honestly inform the public we could find them when they called 9-1-1, even if they could not speak or tell us where they were.  While wireless phones revolutionized our personal lives, they took 9-1-1 accuracy backwards. Although public expectation that 9-1-1 can pinpoint a caller’s location has not changed, 9-1-1 educators were no longer able to make that promise to our citizens.

About 90% of NCTCOG’s 9-1-1 calls are from wireless devices.  Our legacy location technology uses network triangulation of towers, or more recently, trilateration.  This allows a telecommunicator to see an approximate location of an emergency.  While they can probably get fire-fighters close enough to see the smoke, they are challenged to pinpoint the location well enough to send law enforcement or EMS to indoor events, especially in an urban area. This is why we answer the phone, “9-1-1, where is your emergency?”  Unfortunately, medical conditions, stress, domestic violence and active shooters are just a few examples where the caller cannot provide his or her location.  Telecommunicators and first responders have been frustrated with the inability to locate wireless callers for years.

Anything is better than nothing and I am so thankful that the wireless carriers, the FCC and national 9-1-1 associations have been working to improve location accuracy over the last several years.

I want to give special thanks to RapidSOS, who introduced hope for our location challenges when we first met over four years ago.  They had a plan and believed they could create the technology, but they were looking for partners in public safety to tell them what telecommunicators wanted and needed.  They worked with our PSAPs and numerous others over the years. RapidSOS started this as an application (Beacon) and heard the public safety cry that we needed ubiquitous coverage, so they began working with the device providers.  They continued to work with public safety and have gained credibility throughout this journey.

Which brings me to thank our wonderful telecommunicators, supervisors and PSAP administrators who have supported us in these efforts of improvement.  Many of you participated in feedback, focus groups, training, testing, pilot projects and press coverage. You have opened your doors to NCTCOG and RapidSOS and done all that has been asked.  I am also appreciative to the members of NCTCOG 9-1-1 staff who have added to their regular responsibilities to work on this project and achieve this goal.  They did it because they have a passion for 9-1-1 and they believe we can make the service better.  You all have been a part of something great!

But the benefits of supplemental location do not end with those of us in public safety communications, they extend to first responders who will get a better location and be able to reduce response time.  Most importantly, this new service will enhance emergency response for the people we serve in the NCTCOG region, and potentially around the country.  While NCTCOG 9-1-1 has already subscribed to the service, every one of the 6,000 PSAPs across the country will have to sign up for the service through RapidSOS if they want to take advantage of the commercial supplemental information right away.  So this is bigger than NCTCOG – it is an amazing enhancement available to the entire country.  It really is a “giant leap” for the American 9-1-1 industry and public.  Thanks to you all – for joining us in our mission of “Saving lives and making a difference!”