911 service update: text, photo, video support coming soon

With its latest move, the FCC intends to enable everyone with a mobile device reach 911 in case of an emergency.

Texting to 911 service
The FCC’s new plan in the works would allow Americans to text or send voice calls, videos, photos and location information to 911 from their mobile phones, all of which could be very useful for first responders.

The implementation of the update code-named Next Gen 911 (NG911), announced last November, will certainly add more options for contacting emergency operators and enable emergency responders to act faster to help citizens in danger.

FCC chairman Julius Genachowski announced plans to add text and multimedia messaging to 911 emergency response service on Wednesday at the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials (APCO) Conference in Philadelphia.

Next Gen 911 (NG911) project
The implementation of the update code-named Next Gen 911 (NG911), announced last November, will certainly add more options for contacting emergency operators and enable emergency responders to act faster to help citizens in danger.

"With NG 911, somebody in the car could send pictures of injuries and the scene to 911, which EMTs could review in advance. Once on scene, EMTs could send critical information back to the hospital, including on-site scans and diagnostic information, increasing odds of recovery," stated Genachowski.

The five-step plan
According to the FCC press release, the five steps includes

1. Developing location accuracy mechanisms for NG911 that can quickly determine the caller’s location.
2. Enabling consumers to send text, photos, and videos to public safety answering points (NPRM)
3. Facilitating the completion and implementation of NG911 technical standards
4. Developing an NG911 governance framework
5. Developing an NG911 funding model

It was not clear exactly when the much-needed update will come into effect.