Montana gets pilot E-911 service

A cellular phone company this week became the first in the state to offer an enhanced 911 service that will assist dispatchers in tracking down mobile-phone callers, said Ben Hess, the 911 director for Gallatin County.

By KELLYN BROWN Bozeman Chronicle Staff Writer

"This is the first deployment of e-911 technology in the state of Montana," Hess said. "And we are thrilled to work with Cellular One to make this happen."

The new service will allow Cellular One to begin offering county dispatchers call-back numbers and the caller’s location to the nearest cell tower.

"Locating individuals who call 911 on a wireless phone has historically been extremely difficult," said Bridget Baker, a spokeswoman for Cellular One.

Bozeman was chosen as a "model community" for the program, Hess said, and is the first in the state to test out the new technology.

Debra Young, the retail sales manager at a local Cellular One store, said the service will not result in increased prices for customers.

"Gallatin County stepped up to the plate and Cellular One stepped up to the plate to make this happen," Young said.

The need for improved 911 services has been attracting attention at the national level this week as well.

Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont., said Thursday that the Enhanced 911 Emergency Act, which he introduced in June, unanimously passed the Senate Commerce Committee.

The bill provides $500 million per year to enhance emergency communications services nationwide. The legislation still has to face a vote of the full Senate.

"It has been clear since September 11 that improving the overall safety of our country is something we need to do," Burns said in a press release. "We must ensure that first responders have the ability to communicate in real time and get their jobs done during an emergency."

Hess said the new cell phone program is just the first phase in a nationwide effort to track cell phone callers to their specific location. And while Cellular One is the first to offer the service, other cellular providers are expected to follow suit.

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articles/2003/07/21/news/911bzbigs.txt

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Also in USA Today: http://www.usatoday.com/tech/news/techinnovations/2003-07-21-montana-e911_x.htm