The Origin of E911

The familiar 9-1-1 dialing string speaks a universal language of protection and safety. If you need help in a fire, medical, security, or workplace violence emergency, of course, you dial 9-1-1 anticipating a speedy response.

When a 9-1-1 call originates from a home, locating the caller isn’t a problem because a location record with the address of the home is provisioned when the phone is installed. When a 9-1-1 call is made from a home phone, the address of the home is retrieved and displayed on the dispatcher’s screen.

The Location Information Problem

When a 9-1-1 call originates from an office building, a simple street address isn’t much help. The caller may not know their location within the building or they may not be able to speak due to a heart attack or other condition, or may not know, or be able to describe their location.

In an office environment, a 9-1-1 caller’s exact location can often be complicated based on different floors, different buildings on campus, different sections per floor, etc. None of this information is relayed to the 9-1-1 dispatcher or emergency responders. The only information the dispatcher sees is the address that was provisioned when telephone service was established. That address is almost never the same location as the call. While waiting for help to arrive, the dispatcher could be sending first responders to the company’s billing address and not the actual location of the emergency.

One of the most publicized incidents of this occurred in Chicago when a marketing executive working late in a high-rise building dialed 9-1-1 and could not describe her exact location. Her death prompted an Illinois law requiring employers in large buildings to have E911 systems in place. Seventeen other states have adopted similar laws and several additional states have E911 legislation in discussion or current safety regulations that encompass E911.

Security & Liability: A Growing Concern

In today’s security-conscious world, E911 is an especially relevant issue. Along with adopting IP communications, more and more businesses and government agencies are adopting plans to protect their most important asset, their people. Large enterprises may receive 40 to 50 9-1-1 calls per day for medical emergencies, police services, or workplace violence. E911 provides precise caller location data that reduces response time and improves the risk profile of the enterprise.

According to the American Heart Association, more than 90 percent of all people who have sudden cardiac arrest die because they could not get prompt assistance. An E911 system can dramatically improve timely response and a successful outcome by notifying both first responders and security in the enterprise that an emergency call has been placed.

State Legislation & Regulations

Beyond protecting employees and visitors, there is another reason that enterprises are adopting E911, namely state and local E911 legislation. Seventeen states, including Illinois, and some major cities, have adopted regulations that require enterprises to have E911 for their facilities, buildings, and office environments. Typically, these regulations require an enterprise to create defined regions so emergency responders know where a call is coming from (i.e. Building, Floor, Room).

While the legislation varies from state to state, they all basically require the enterprise to define the location of callers within their buildings so emergency responders can provide a prompt response. Non-compliance can have penalties assessed or building occupancy permits denied.

An enterprise may face additional legal action, where E911 is required but not implemented, by a person requiring emergency assistance that may arrive too late to be effective, due to the inability to locate the caller. Alternatively, where a multi-location enterprise has implemented E911 in one location but not others, it may face scrutiny should an incident occur in the locations without E911 systems in place.

Summary of Illinois & Chicago E911 Regulations

Requirements vary based on residential vs. business and square footage. Generally, a distinct location needs to be provided per 40,000 square feet or each entity sharing a building.

How to Select the Right E911 Solution

The key to selecting the right solution for your enterprise requires an honest assessment of your requirements, your network, and your enterprise’s purchasing and approval processes. Below are some questions which may help you identify the right solution:

• What do I really want to accomplish with E911?
  
• How do I want my E911 system to integrate with my phone system?
  
• What regulatory requirements do I need to meet?
  
• Do I have a specific “use case” that is a pain point?
  
• Does E911 need to fit in with a larger security initiative?
  
• Do I have remote workers or mobile softphone users?
  
• Does my enterprise prefer to buy products and services as a capital purchase or as monthly or annual hosted service?
  

Conclusion

More and more Chicagoland area municipalities are raising awareness of E911 requirements through their local Fire Marshalls as business and office technology make it easier than ever to cost-effectively deploy such systems.

Take a moment to confirm if E911 requirements pertain to your building and your tenants. If you are not sure, contact your local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) to find out. If they do apply, start the necessary steps today to become E911 compliant.

Michael Guzan can be reached at (630) 590-8316 or mdguzan@midcosystems.com.