AT&T Uses GPS Technology To Better Locate Emergency Calls

A nationwide cell service is using GPS technology to help trace 911 calls. 

Logan County Sheriff Damon Devereaux says every second counts when it comes to saving lives. A national cell service is working to help emergency crews reduce response times. 

Sheriff Deveraux said their 911 dispatch center tends to get pretty busy. A challenge they've experienced is getting an exact location from calling parties. 

“A lot of times if we get a call in a rural area in fields, or off some of the county roads or something like that it might take us a while to locate them just because we don't have an actual address. They may give us an area. So now we're on a needle in a haystack trying to find them to get them emergency services,” Sheriff Devereaux said. 

Chris Jamke with AT&T said 911 calls are usually routed through cell towers which can cover up to a 10-mile radius. They've recently upgraded their routing system to the device's GPS system. 

“With location-based routing a device can be located within 50 meters of its location. So, to put this in perspective that's about half the size of a football field,” Jamke said. 

This program rolls out to AT&T users here in Oklahoma at the end of the month. Jamke said AT&T is the only provider with this service. 

“55 meters can make the difference between life and death, honestly. Anytime we can shrink that location and get to that person faster it's going to save lives,” Sheriff Devereaux said. 

The Sheriff said he is looking forward to this 911 upgrade. He also wants folks to know technology advancements are great but traveling with a map is always helpful.