In an attempt to change the way we report crimes, the FCC is looking to move 911 reporting into the 21st century by allowing citizens to use text messaging and video streaming to do so.
This would be the first time since 2001 that the 911 service changed, when mobile carriers were required to allow the service to identify the location of callers through GPS or cell-tower data.
While the 911 systems aren’t yet ready for text-messaging or video streaming, once the systems are, we could see how this would be very useful in stressing situations.
Apparently, so did the FCC. In Tuesday’s press release, the FCC pointed to the Virginia Tech shooting as an example where a more modern system could help.
The FCC also plans to include automated 911 pinging through sensors such as chemical detection sensors, alarm systems, and medical devices.
Source: Wired Epicenter
