I’m sure this could probably go in a totally different section, but I’m curious specifically about the PSAPS in Ontario. When you call 911 from a mobile device, are the dispatchers able to remotely activate your phones GPS to allow them to get a better location while you are connected to them? The reason I ask this is a couple of years ago, my mom and I were up near Orilia doing some fishing. We noticed there was some individuals who had started a fire directly below a wooden structured bridge. Concerned the flames were getting far too close to the bridge, we called 911. Unfortunately, we were unfamiliar with the area, so we could give a general location, but not the street where the bridge was on.
Because I’m security conscious, I generally don’t have my location active on my Android phone. I noticed when I was on the call with the dispatcher, the location icon appeared on my phone. At the time I just assumed they were able to remotely activate it to be able to better identify where I was calling from. I’m just curious, is that actually possible? In a situation like that, I could actually see that capability being extremely helpful.
On a side note regarding the incident, it was actually kind of interesting. The Rama Township fire department responded with lights, but no sirens. When they arrived, they drove on the bridge very slowly. When they exited their vehicle, the actually approached from both directions on the bridge on the one side, so they were flanking the people who started the bonfire. You could definitely see that they did not want to give the people the heads up. Almost like they’ve had very similar calls before.
Because I’m security conscious, I generally don’t have my location active on my Android phone. I noticed when I was on the call with the dispatcher, the location icon appeared on my phone. At the time I just assumed they were able to remotely activate it to be able to better identify where I was calling from. I’m just curious, is that actually possible? In a situation like that, I could actually see that capability being extremely helpful.
On a side note regarding the incident, it was actually kind of interesting. The Rama Township fire department responded with lights, but no sirens. When they arrived, they drove on the bridge very slowly. When they exited their vehicle, the actually approached from both directions on the bridge on the one side, so they were flanking the people who started the bonfire. You could definitely see that they did not want to give the people the heads up. Almost like they’ve had very similar calls before.
