APCO Wireless Accuracy Testing Discovers Critical Information to the 9-1-1 Caller in Crisis and Identifies Need For Partnerships and Education to Improve the Quality and Interpretation of Location Information
WASHINGTON — The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International today reinforced the need for greater partnerships and public education on the level of service provided for emergency calls from wireless phones following the review of the results of its Project LOCATE’S (Locate Our Citizens At Times of Emergencies) wireless accuracy testing.
In August 2005, Project LOCATE announced a project to conduct independent testing of wireless location data delivered to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs). This announcement followed Project LOCATE’s receipt of a $750,000 grant from the Public Safety Foundation of America (PSFA).
Project LOCATE’s accuracy testing project was conducted in a manner consistent with the published Federal Communications Commission (FCC) guidelines and industry recommendations. APCO has now provided public safety practitioners with the first national review of wireless 9-1-1 system performance. The testing process had to provide a statistically valid sample of test calls from a defined set of random points within the service areas of the seven diverse PSAPs selected across the country. The goal of the testing was to assess accuracy performance and not to indicate the level of compliance with current FCC location data requirements. Some of the issues the testing addressed included:
- The value of the location data in terms of prompt, effective dispatch of the appropriate emergency services;
- The variables that contribute to the quality of the location data presented to a PSAP when emergency calls are made from wireless devices;
- The lessons that have been learned since the deployment of Phase II wireless enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1), and;
- The best practices that can be adopted to improve the accuracy and effective use of Phase II wireless E9-1-1 as well as the processing of per call location data at the PSAP.
The result of this project is the partnership between APCO International, the PSAPs and the wireless carriers in a joint effort to improve the performance of and manage the expectations about response to emergency calls from wireless phones.
“The use and interpretation of critical location information provided with the call that assists in more effective and prompt dispatch of emergency services will be the best final product of this extensive effort,” APCO International President Wanda McCarley said. “PSAPs will gain insight into the best means to work cooperatively and in full collaboration with the major wireless carriers to improve the performance of deployed systems based upon jointly accepted measurements. The partnership of APCO with the Wireless Service Providers will include the expansion of public education efforts so the wireless caller fully understands the capability of the current technology.”
About Project LOCATE
Project LOCATE seeks to further support the deployment of wireless 9-1-1 service by providing practical guidance and support to those PSAPs across the country that have deployed Phase II wireless E9-1-1 and those still considering deployment.
About APCO International
The Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) International is the world’s oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to the enhancement of public safety communications. APCO International serves the professional needs of its 15,000 members worldwide by creating a platform for setting professional standards, addressing professional issues and providing education, products and services for people who manage, operate, maintain and supply the communications systems used by police, fire and emergency medical dispatch agencies throughout the world. For more information, visit www.apcointl.org.