Is my GPS location passed on by 911 to the local first Responder unit? Example. I am deep in the woods with no road close by. Can the First Responders use GPS on their phone to find me?

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Is my GPS location passed on by 911 to the local first Responder unit? Example. I am deep in the woods with no road close by. Can the First Responders use GPS on their phone to find me?

We are concerned with employees / volunteers using chain saws in wooded areas away from roads and landmarks.

Assuming that there is cell phone coverage. If a serious injury occurs and the two-man team cannot come to a known point, will an Emergency SOS call on an iPhone (all models) pass their GPS location to a local 911 Call Center? Will the Call Center pass the GPS location to a local First Responder Unit? Will the First Responder Unit be able to key in this GPS data to their smart phone and locate the injured party? Can the 911 Call Center also pass along the cell phone number to the First Responders so that phone contact can be made with the injured party who can provide current medical information and guide the First Responders to their location?

iMac 124", Mac OS X (10.4.10)

Posted on Feb 19, 2018 6:54 AM

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Answer 1

Feb 19, 2018 10:38 AM in response to WBWTANK

At this time the E911 systems in most locations cannot receive GPS data. This is a deficiency that is being worked on, but it is probably a while before it will be available. However, your cell provider DOES provide triangulation data from its cell tower network. This is not as accurate as GPS, but will usually locate you to within 100 yards or so.

You can also get one of the apps that provides your GPS location (latitude and longitude) that you can pass orally or by text to the 911 operator. Or you can also get that information from the Compass app that is built in.

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