Cell Phone Callers

Information for Cellular Callers

Cell Phones may not always provide 9-1-1 your location or address.

People who carry cellular phones should become more aware of their surroundings, especially when driving. The more information that can be provided, the easier it is to dispatch emergency response teams.

Ottawa 9-1-1 is capable of receiving both Phase I & II cellular 9-1-1 calls, depending on the capabilities of the cellular phone carrier. Phase 1 calls display the tower location and cell phone callback number. Phase II calls display the cell phone number and the latitude and longitude of the caller within 300 meters depending on the carrier. Verizon, Nextel, Sprint PCS, and ALLTEL all use a GPS chip accurate within 25 meters.

Keep in mind the cellular phone must have built-in GPS capabilities and access to the GPS Satellites to provide an accurate location. Older cellular phones without GPS capabilities or cellular phones that are not activated with current service from a provider may not display any location information at all. Please be prepared to verbally give you location to the 9-1-1 operator.

Remember….KNOW YOUR LOCATION, cell phone technology is not always accurate.