Each year there are approximately 240 million 9-1-1 calls made in the United States, approximately one-third of those calls originate from wireless telephones.  In many communities, at least half of the 9-1-1 calls come from wireless telephones.   In the state of Montana over 50 percent of 9-1-1 calls are received from wireless phones.  In order to be Phase II compliant the wireless carriers must deliver the actual longitude and latitude of the wireless E9-1-1 caller.  In wireless Phase II this location information must be displayed on a dispatchers station and available to integrate into mapping  applications for emergency services dispatch.  For Cascade County, Montana who receives Phase II E9-1-1 calls, the main problem was they did not have baseline data for the value of the estimated location they were receiving, prompting them to hire GeoComm to complete a Wireless E9-1-1 Accuracy Testing.

The testing was completed to validate the level and quality of location data currently being provided by the  wireless service providers within Cascade County.  GeoComm conducted almost 1,600 test calls to capture the current status and accuracy of wireless 9-1-1 calls.  This data was analyzed and used to work with wireless service providers to improve location accuracy in the county and provide effective dispatch of emergency      services.   GeoComm also reviewed the PSAP operational practices to evaluate the quality of wireless location data being delivered to the PSAPs and the associated operational practices in processing a wireless call.

After the testing was complete, GeoComm provided Cascade County with a Wireless E9-1-1 Accuracy Testing Results and Recommendations Report summarizing the information collected and provided recommendations for establishing E9-1-1 operational practices at the PSAP and for use with wireless services providers to improve    variances in call location accuracy.  In Addition, GeoComm  assisted the State of Montana and Cascade County officials in   determining the required modifications to the county’s E9-1-1 operation practices, and assisted in discussion with the wireless service providers to improve wireless call    accuracy in the county.  This wireless accuracy testing, along with the modifications made when processing a wireless 9-1-1 call, ensure Cascade County’s Phase II E9-1-1 system is one of the most  accurate systems in the state.  Cascade County and the PSAP will use the data collection results for collaboration and coordination with the wireless service providers.

About Cascade County:

Cascade County, which is located  in central Montana covers almost 2700 square miles and has a population of  almost 80,000 people.  The county is served by a single PSAP which is located in Great Falls, the county seat. 

Accurate GIS Data Leads to More Efficiently Locating 9-1-1 Callers

9-1-1 callers expect to be found, even if they themselves are unsure of their location.  For this reason it is important for your 9-1-1 system to contain accurate GIS data.  If the GIS data does not contain the correct addresses and street names, emergency responders may have an difficult time responding to emergencies. 

In mid 2009, GeoComm was hired through one of their business partners to provide mapping software to McHenry County, Illinois to coincide with a large scale, countywide CAD implementation.  Because GeoComm understands the importance of GIS, specifically for Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) call plotting, prior to any software installation we perform a standard Data Analysis to determine the synchronization rate of the GIS map data, Master Street Addressing Guide (MSAG), and Automatic Location Identification (ALI) database.  The greater the synchronization rate between the three databases results in a higher probability for accurately pin-pointing emergency call locations. 

During the time the data analysis was being conducted, McHenry County’s map data was still being developed by another vendor.  The vendor had several delays in submitting the collected map data to McHenry County, which in turn created a delay in completing the entire project.  After successfully obtaining the current map data from a different third party GIS vendor GeoComm completed a Data Analysis of McHenry County’s map data.  GeoComm provided McHenry County a detailed report of their map data findings, highlighting discrepancies in their road centerline and address point files, as well as incorrect Emergency Service Number (ESN) boundaries.  It was clear the map data that was recently delivered to McHenry County did not meet requirements for use in public safety.  GeoComm provided recommendations to improve the data discrepancies, to therefore make the data suitable for 9-1-1 call plotting. 

Through regular correspondence and documentation between McHenry County and GeoComm, as well as several quality control/quality assurance checks, GeoComm communicated their findings with county officials and the other vendor to outline what modifications needed to be made immediately versus which modifications could be improved over time with further investigation.  The other vendor worked on the recommended improvements up until the county’s scheduled “go live” date for software implementation.  These updates resulted in the GIS data being delivered to McHenry County with a 79% synchronization rate between the GIS map data, MSAG, and ALI database at the time of installation.  Once the software was installed, McHenry County contracted with GeoComm to further improve the Roads Centerline, ESN Boundaries, Address Point Layer, and Boundaries Layer.  Since the software installation in the fall of 2009, GeoComm worked with McHenry County to improve the GIS data resulting in a steady increase in the synchronization rate between the GIS map data, MSAG, and ALI database.  The current synchronization rate is over 90% and continues to rise. 

McHenry County relied on GeoComm’s knowledge and dedication to improve the quality and accuracy of their GIS data.  Now when a 9-1-1 call is answered in McHenry County, IL the telecommunicators may confidently measure distances, identify nearest responders, determine appropriate responder routing, and overall improve the efficiency of responding to emergencies.  Their updated GIS data provides them a useful tool in critical situations, and allows them to fulfill 9-1-1 caller’s expectations of being located during an emergency.

About McHenry County:

McHenry County is situated in the northeast corner of the state.  With a population of over 300,000 people in approximately 90,000 households, it is the sixth largest county in Illinois.  McHenry County supports and maintains the consolidated public safety system for 26 police departments, 17 fire departments, and 7 Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs) that serve over 300,000 residents in McHenry County.

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