Reverse 911 Call

[HAL]

I got a call today on my cell phone. It said "This is a reverse 911 call from {my city} regarding a west nile virus alert. Blah blah blah ...

I never even knew reverse 911 calls existed.

[Nick]

It must be part of Homeland Security.  They know your every move.

[Hatter23]

Sounds like the typical hyerbolic nonsense that is par for 21rst Century life

[Traveler]

I have heard of an emergency system that uses this method of communication. Sounds weird, but if something were truly going down, having a heads-up if I weren't watching the news could be life-saving. I think it simply automatically dials all numbers and plays an automated message. Its not as if they're targetting a specific person or even paying attention to who's getting the message. Just all numbers with a particular area code or whatever.

[Dante]

I never even knew reverse 911 calls existed.

I knew they did, but here in my county, one must register their number to receive the notifications.

http://www.elpasoteller911.org/?page_id=44

With all the relocating around people do, and the nationwide plans on cell phones, I don't see how the authorities think they could reach everyone in their jurisdiction.

[Nam]

I've called 911 a few times but hung up before it connected, at least I thought it didn't connect. They'd call me a few seconds later. But I've never been called by them with an automated message.

-Nam

[curiousgirl]

Here in California, reverse 911 calls usually happen to warn residents to evacuate due to fires.

[Garja]

Ive only called 911 once.  I saw some teenager trying to put out his car-fire with a dixie-cup of water (btw, I think I was 19 or so at the time).  Thought "yeah, that isn't going to work" called, then went outside with a fire-extinguisher to put it out as he arrived with I think his 3rd cup of water.

[Nam]

^maybe that's all he had. The effort is what counts.

-Nam

[Garja]

He was pulling out of his grandfathers driveway... who happens to own a junkyard.... im betting he had a fire extinguisher. 

[Chronos]

We use Nixle for alerts by SMS and email.

[Backspace]

Hal, check the fine details of your phone bill; chances are you're paying a little extra for the reverse 911 service.  We do in our area. 

[Nam]

^that must suck.

-Nam

[stuffin]

^maybe that's all he had. The effort is what counts.

-Nam

Totally disagree with this statement.

Results are what count, effort has much to do with results, but only the results will count.

[stuffin]

Just read our town is installing a reverse 911 system. Some people who commented said not to subscribe as you will get enough stuff it will feel like harassment. I'll try to update this after the system goes live and I have some first hand knowledge of how it works. 

[jetson]

Someone hit the rear of my van one day, so I called 911.  They already knew my exact location, and sent a police car.

[HAL]

I just got a reverse 911 PM! 

[on:bread:alone]

even with my keyguard on, my pocket likes to call 911 like twice a week. they always call back and ask if there's a problem... i'm damn near on a first name basis with these guys, it happens so often.

[pianodwarf]

even with my keyguard on, my pocket likes to call 911 like twice a week. they always call back and ask if there's a problem... i'm damn near on a first name basis with these guys, it happens so often.

This is becoming an increasing problem, to the point where something like one out of every four 911 calls, at least in somce places, is a pocket-dial.

Please change the way you carry your cell phone.  This kind of drain on 911 resources is not a minor matter.  The thirty seconds that the 911 operator has to take to deal with your pocket dial is another thirty seconds that the car crash victim has to wait for help, which can quite literally be the difference between life and death.

[jetson]

even with my keyguard on, my pocket likes to call 911 like twice a week. they always call back and ask if there's a problem... i'm damn near on a first name basis with these guys, it happens so often.

This is becoming an increasing problem, to the point where something like one out of every four 911 calls, at least in somce places, is a pocket-dial.

Please change the way you carry your cell phone.  This kind of drain on 911 resources is not a minor matter.  The thirty seconds that the 911 operator has to take to deal with your pocket dial is another thirty seconds that the car crash victim has to wait for help, which can quite literally be the difference between life and death.

Then it could also be serious flaws in cell phone design.  Consumers might be able to make adjustments, but manufacturers really need to step up their game.  I put this mostly on them.

However, if I was constantly "pocket-dialing" 911, I would definitely make some sort of adjustment.

[Nam]

pianodwarf,

I don't think that's necessarily true. My Uncle was a FHP dispatcher for a long time[1] and he used to talk about calls of such instances, and stated it's not really that big of a deal since most 911 calls are routed to the biggest city near by. Therefore, there's a lot of dispatchers taking calls. They are redirected to other dispatch centers in one's area when it is of concern to local issues.

I've even experienced that for my city. I always get Orlando's dispatchers rather than those in my city.

-Nam

1.	appointed Director of Dispatchers by Gov. Jeb Bush years back

[on:bread:alone]

Please change the way you carry your cell phone. 

i've tried it in my other pocket... doesn't really make a difference.

[Nam]

^ever tried keeping it turned off while you carry it? There's an idea.

-Nam

[on:bread:alone]

^ what's the sense in carrying a cell phone if i'm just gonna keep it turned off?

[Nam]

Just while you carry it. Turn it back on when you're stationary.

-Nam

[jetson]

Please change the way you carry your cell phone. 

i've tried it in my other pocket... doesn't really make a difference.

LOL

[MadBunny]

Ive only called 911 once.  I saw some teenager trying to put out his car-fire with a dixie-cup of water (btw, I think I was 19 or so at the time).  Thought "yeah, that isn't going to work" called, then went outside with a fire-extinguisher to put it out as he arrived with I think his 3rd cup of water.

Don't want to derail things.. but I put out an engine fire with a cup of coffee once.
Was driving to work with my wife when the engine started spewing smoke.  So we pulled over and popped the hood.  Turns out the alternator had locked up or something and was actually glowing red enough to see it.  A moment later "poof" it burst into flames!

I whipped off my shirt and started beating it, but I'd beat out the flame and it'd 'poof' right back up.  Like one of those joke candles you can guy for people you want to piss off on their birthday. After the third time I ran to the car and grabbed our morning coffee... back to the front and poured it right on there. 

A moment later the scent of burnt coffee and relief was in the air.

Least I didn't have to try and climb up on the bumper and hang my bits out over a flaming engine at rush hour to try to put it out.  That probably wouldn't have worked out so well.

[1]

1.	Edit: Added stupid flame glow.