Adapt 999 for smartphone technology, report says

[maureenho]

Adapt 999 for smartphone technology, report says

Radical changes should be made to 999 call services in the UK to allow people to utilise smartphones in an emergency, a report has said.

Emergency services should create a data-based system to filter reports and deploy responders, says the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET).

Smartphone technology and apps could be used to send alerts to the emergency services, it says.

Prof Will Stewart said there was a "critical" need to update the service.

A service primarily for deaf people and those with speech difficulties already exists, but requires people to register beforehand.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33438008
The report - called Contacting Emergency Services in the Digital Age - says emergency services need to "reflect the digital age" and the fact people now increasingly use text messages and social media to communicate, rather than making a voice call.

[annie]

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