Local News
System helps county locate wireless 9-1-1 calls
For those calling 9-1-1 from cell phones in Anderson County law authorities now have a better means of locating callers and improving response times.
The East Texas Council of Governments began assisting 17 East Texas counties, which includes Anderson County, with the launch of Wireless Phase II, which sends dispatchers the caller’s latitude and longitude coordinates. According to ETCOG, cell phone companies provide Public Safety Answering Points dispatchers with the actual location of a caller within specified distances mandated by the Federal Communications Commission.
Previously, ETCOG, noted cellular providers could only identify the tower location the call originated from and the phone’s call back number.
Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said the new system is a big help to law enforcement and emergency personnel.
“It helps us pinpoint where the call comes from,” Taylor said. “It still helps for the caller to be aware of where they are, but with this new system, the dispatcher can see on a map where the call is coming from.”
While Wireless Phase II is a big help to emergency services, it still has its limits, according to ETCOG Director of 9-1-1 Emergency Services Carolyn Flores.
“Although we are deploying the service, there are still times when the information available to the dispatcher is limited to the caller’s telephone number and tower,” Flores said. “Certain technologies of shared networks have not been resolved and default to Phase I as well.”
In the future, as more and more people move away from landline communication and rely almost completely on wireless, Taylor said the ability to locate callers will become more important.
“This is beneficial to us, because somebody can get off out in the woods and get hurt, they may not know where they are, but we can find them,” the sheriff said. “And, there are a lot of people now who don’t have home phones, just cell phones — this is a real benefit to them as well.”
- Local News
-
-
Danini finds home for restaurant in Palestine
When Elias Danini drove through Palestine and saw the building for sale in the Palestine Plaza, he knew it would make the perfect place for a new Mexican restaurant.
-
Man pleads not guilty to robberies
A 17-year-old Palestine man charged in connection with a pair of convenience store robberies this past fall has pled not guilty to the charges, while a second suspect in the same offense has been deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial.
-
Authorities still seek burglary suspect
Anderson County sheriff’s authorities continue to seek one suspect in the Thanksgiving theft of a 1-ton generator near Neches, according to Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor.
- County OKs software upgrade
-
Wings of Freedom Tour coming to Palestine
The Collings Foundation’s Wings of Freedom Tour is coming to Palestine in March, offering a rare look at World War II and aviation history.
- Retired Bridgadier General to speak in Palestine
-
City council to meet Monday
The Palestine City Council will consider a handful of items Monday relating to the heavily-damaged Palestine Public Library which was condemned late last year following two separate roof collapses.
-
'Smallest Gospel Singer' coming to Elkhart Sunday, Feb. 7
Lowell Mason has been called the World's Smallest Gospel Singer because of his unique height of only 46 inches. His voice, however has no comparison to his size.
- Texas State Railroad offering Valentine's dinner trains
-
Special meeting set Tuesday for VVA, AVVA
The Vietnam Veterans of America and the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America Palestine Chapter 991 will hold their regular monthly meeting on Tuesday at a special time this month.
- More Local News Headlines
-
