911 locator system on line

The Kenai Peninsula Borough announced on Wednesday a new 911 wireless calling system that will give 911 call takers the ability to locate the area a wireless call is coming from.

The enhanced 911 system, also known as phase II wireless, is now available for the entire borough, said Scott Walden, coordinator for the borough's office of emergency management.

Prior to the wireless location service, Walden said no caller location was provided to the 911 call taker if a cell phone was used. Phase II wireless gives an approximation of the caller's location via latitude and longitude in relation to a cell tower site and plots their estimated location on an electronic mapping system for the call taker. The system can track a caller's location within a few yards of accuracy, Walden said.

The system also automatically refreshes on a regular basis during the call and provides the call back number.

Giving 911 call takers the ability to track and locate wireless hang up calls or callers who may be unable to speak and send them assistance is one of the many advantages Walden said the new system provides.

In the summer, too, the enhanced 911 system will be beneficial. With so many tourists that are unfamiliar with the area, 911 call takers will be able to locate callers' positions even if the callers are unsure of their exact location. Hikers in distress will also benefit from phase II wireless.

All major cell phone carriers are involved with this system, Walden said. Should a new cell phone company come to the peninsula, they too would have to provide this service.

911 call takers cannot track anyone with a cell phone, Walden said. A caller must dial 911 using a wireless phone then they will be able to be tracked by the 911 call taker.

Mike Nesper can be reached at mike.nesper@peninsulaclarion.com.