911 system to include cell-phone mapping

The 911 system is expected to be up and running by the end of next year.
LISBON -- A telecommunications representative expressed satisfaction with the efforts of the organizers of Columbiana County's 911 system, Commissioner Gary Williams said.
The county's 911 system is on schedule to be operational by the end of 2005.
Williams told fellow commissioners Wednesday that a representative of a company that provides the telecommunications equipment for 911 systems was impressed that county planners are creating a mapping plan based on the calling zones of cellular phone companies.
Many 911 systems were put into place without cellular phone users in mind, so they now have to make changes to their systems, Williams said.
"We will have that, and a lot of established 911 systems don't yet," Williams said. "We'll be starting out ahead in the game."
Reverse 911
Williams noted that the telecommunications plan will include a reverse 911 system. That means that not only will users be able to call the 911 dispatchers in emergencies, but the dispatchers will be able to call into the different zones of the mapping area to issue alerts such as information about a lost child or approaching severe weather.
Dispatchers who will work in the dispatch centers, also known as public access answering points, came away with a better understanding of the operation and less fearful of the unknown.
"They had a lot of unanswered questions and I think they came away satisfied," Williams added.