What is E911 and How Does It Impact Your Business?

E911 is an improvised emergency response system that automatically tracks the caller’s location when calling 911. By providing all detailed addresses, it helps you to get immediate help from the response team during emergencies.

Here’s how E911 works:
 

1. Dialing 911: When you dial the 911 number, the call is immediately routed to the nearest Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).
    
2. Location Information: As you dial the number, the system instantly tracks your location. For landlines, the physical address is automatically retrieved through the area code. Likewise, on cell phones, the address is determined using GPS, WiFi positioning, and network tracking.
    
3. Dispatching: Once the PASP receives the caller’s location, it is transferred to the appropriate urgent services (police, fire, or medical).

With the E911 system, the location of the callers is tracked automatically, whereas traditional 911 requires a verbal description.
 

E911 services automatically provide an accurate location to the emergency service providers, aiding faster response.
 

• Improves Location Accuracy: With E911, the dispatcher can identify the exact location of callers immediately and more accurately through the automated tracker.
• Faster Response Times: In an urgent situation, the caller may be unable to explain properly due to panic and injury, making it difficult to determine their location. E911 ensures you get the help the fastest way possible.
• Caller Identification: The E911 system often displays the caller’s phone numbers when attending the call. The dispatcher can call back in case the call gets disconnected accidentally.
• Improved Safety: E911 ensures that emergency services can reach those in need more quickly and efficiently. This can be life-saving during the emergencies.

In business operations, an enhanced 911 system adds an extra layer of safety. With the E911 system, customers and employees can feel safe while they perform their duties.

Nowadays, employees prefer remote work over in-office work. In general, they use their private numbers instead of business phone lines when making personal calls. But in emergency cases, they may use any of them. To get timely emergency services, businesses must update their E911 address for business number to their actual location rather than a business location.

Companies with a hybrid workforce (both remote and in-office) should also consider the E911 system for a unified safety solution. They may also be required to call the emergency numbers usnig the business lines; it’s important that businesses update their location information is updated for both office and home addresses.

E911 system is a must for any company. It’s especially useful for businesses with high customer in-flow. Industries like hospitals, colleges, and universities are the most crowded areas. So, there can be a need for an emergency at any time, and it's crucial to implement an effective e911 system for those industries.

Kari’s Law ensures that “every person can easily call for help and can be located easily by emergency services.” This law was enacted in memory of Kari Hunt, who was killed by her estranged husband in 2013. At that time, her daughter could not call for help because of the requirement to dial “9” before any call. By simplifying the urgent calling process, this law aims to save lives during life-or-death situations.

Before this law, in some places, you had to dial an extra number with 911 (prefix or postfix). After this law, you can dial 911 directly for emergencies.

The Ray Baum Act was introduced in 2018 and aimed to provide location information to the emergency support team, regardless of which telecommunication platform you use to call. Section 506 of this Act mandates that the FCC ensure all 911 calls to include detailed location information, known as “dispatchable location.”

The information includes the caller's street address and any additional details (room or floor numbers). With the detailed information, the emergency response quickly and accurately finds the caller.

Unlike traditional landlines, which are directly tied to physical addresses, VoIP technology operates over thInternetet which means calls can be made from anywhere. This complicates when calling 911, as emergency responders need an accurate location to respond quickly and efficiently.

To address this, VoIP providers implement E911, linking their user’s account to a physical address, which is informed during a 911 call.

Remember, virtual phone numbers from VoIP providers can be used from any location. So, the issues may arise when you move to different locations. So, you must update your address during such times.

E911 ensures faster and more accurate emergency responses that can save lives. Whether you operate a small business or a large enterprise, implementing the E911 system ensures your employees and customers are protected in emergency situations. Therefore, you must adopt a phone system that updates your E911 address effectively.

If you’re looking for a business phone system implementing the E911 system, consider Calilio. We update your E911 address immediately upon your request. However, be sure to provide accurate information.

E911 address is the location address that is sent to the emergency services team when a 911 call is placed.

Yes, E911 uses GPS to find out the exact location of a caller who needs urgent help.

No, E911 is not available in every country. It is available in countries like the US, Canada, and some other Caribbean nations.