Fortuna Police Now Able to Get Location Data From Some Mobile 911 Calls

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Media Release from the Fortuna Police:

The Fortuna Police Department is now receiving fast and accurate device location data for 9-1-1 calls from iPhones with iOS 12 via the RapidSOS NG911 Clearinghouse.

The first and most important question in every 9-1-1 call is “What is the location of your emergency?”  Knowing the caller’s location is the first step to dispatching life-saving emergency responders. With RapidSOS, The Fortuna Police Department is now able to access the NG911 Clearinghouse to receive fast and accurate location data from Apple devices during 9-1-1 calls placed from an iPhone with iOS 12. Citizens using an iPhone are encouraged to upgrade to iOS 12 to deliver life-saving location information to 9-1-1 call-takers and dispatchers in an emergency.

The Fortuna Police Department always seeks to implement 9-1-1 technology tools that will improve emergency response for constituents. With fast, accurate location data from Apple devices, The Fortuna Police Department has already seen positive impact during real emergencies.

“Our communications center takes nearly 10 times more wireless 911 calls then landline calls and determining the caller’s location is often difficult when they are calling from a wireless device.  With the implementation of this new technology, we are better able to determine to the location of callers and subsequently, we can get emergency services to their location much faster”.  said Fortuna Police Department’s Communications Center Supervisor, Sergeant Charles Ellebrecht.

The Fortuna Police Department is leading the way in 9-1-1 technology to improve emergency response,”  said RapidSOS CEO, Michael Martin. “We are thrilled to provide the Fortuna Police Department dispatchers with the information they need to get citizens help quickly in an emergency, saving lives and property.”

The Fortuna Police Department’s Communication center serves as the 24 hour 911 Public Safety Answering Point for 911 calls originating from the Cities of Fortuna, Ferndale and Rio Dell.