(Spirit Lake)– Coming soon to Dickinson county: an enhanced version of 911 that will tell the location of anyone who dials the emergency number with a cell phone.
Mike Ehret, Dickinson County Emergency Management and 911 Coordinator, says having the capability of knowing right away where the cell call is originating is crucial–especially here in the Iowa Great Lakes. He referred to a boating accident earlier this summer that was called in by a cell phone. Ehret says the caller was unfamiliar with the area and it took rescue crews a bit to find the location of the mishap.
Ehret says it will probably be some time next year before the enhanced 911 service is actually operational in Dickinson county. He says some upgrading of equipment in the communications center needs to be done first. He says that will happen by November 1st. Then, Ehret says cellular companies will have six months in which to upgrade their equipment.
Ehret says Dickinson county has been awarded a grant to help defray the cost of the project.
Clay county is further along in the process. Emergency Management Director Bryce Denker says most of the equipment has already been installed in the communications center in Spencer and is operational. He says some cell phone companies are still updating their equipment.
(With help from Danielle Hitchings of sister station KDWD Hot 100 in Spencer).
