Category: News & Media

We all know that in times of emergency, the three magic numbers – 9-1-1 – are like a superhero’s hotline to save the day. But here’s the deal: it’s not just about dialing those numbers; it’s about making sure you know your location. Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) aren’t always able to pinpoint your exact location, so knowing where you are based on addresses and landmarks really matters. Knowing where you are is like the secret sauce to getting the help you need ASAP. So, let’s break it down and chat about why knowing your location is the most important thing when calling 9-1-1.

Time is of the Essence

When you’re in a jam, every second counts, right? Well, knowing where you are cuts down on all that guesswork. Imagine this: you’re at a park, and your friend suddenly needs help. Telling the 9-1-1 telecommunicator you’re at “that park near my aunt’s house” isn’t going to cut it. But if you know you’re at “Sunshine Park, 123 Elm Street,” boom! Help is on the way. Those precious minutes could be a game-changer, especially in a medical emergency.

Lost in the Wilderness or Traveling? No Problem!

Emergencies don’t care if you’re in your comfy living room or hiking the wildest trails. When you’re out traveling or exploring new territories, knowing your exact location becomes your lifeline. Whether you’re on a backpacking adventure or just got lost in a maze-like convention center, having your location handy helps first responders find you, even in the middle of nowhere. Check out our blog on what3words to learn more about the app that can help locate you, even if you’re in the wilderness.

It’s About Public Safety, Too

When you share your location, you’re not just helping yourself; you’re aiding your whole community. Think about it: if an emergency is brewing in your area, knowing your location helps first responders understand the big picture. They can then send the right help to you and others who might be affected. It’s like being a local hero without even realizing it!

Keep Calm and Share Your Location

Emergencies are stressful – no doubt about it. But knowing where you are and sharing it with the 9-1-1 telecommunicator can be a game-changer. It lets you feel a little more in control, knowing that help is en route, and they know exactly where to find you. Less stress, less panic, and more confidence when it matters most.

Get the Right Help, Right Away

Different situations need different responses. Knowing your location helps 9-1-1 telecommunicators  figure out what kind of assistance you need. Are you stuck in a burning building? Are you at home with a medical emergency? Your location helps first responders plan their approach and get you the help tailored to your specific needs. 

In a nutshell, knowing where you are when you dial 9-1-1 is like the secret ingredient to a successful emergency response. It saves time, reduces stress, and ensures that help finds you ASAP, no matter where you are. So, remember, the next time you’re in a jam, don’t just dial those three magic numbers – know your location, too. It’s your ticket to a quicker response and peace of mind when it counts the most. Stay safe, folks!

Educators are continuously looking for new and innovative ways to teach citizens how to successfully call or text to 9-1-1. To make the process more engaging, the North Central Texas Emergency Communications District (NCT9-1-1) developed a free 9-1-1 simulator app for both Android and Apple devices. The Learn 9-1-1 simulator app was designed to be the perfect educational tool to demonstrate how to successfully reach 9-1-1.

About the App

The Learn 9-1-1 simulator app works through the activation of two separate phones. Both cellular phones are attached to one account on the Learn 9-1-1 simulator app. The app was designed to be used by a minimum of two people and gives the scenario of being a 9-1-1 caller and portraying a 9-1-1 telecommunicator.

How to use it

To use the Learn 9-1-1 simulator app, users first need an account. Users can request an account by visiting the NCT9-1-1 website and following the simple instructions. After you have submitted, go to your device’s app store, and download the Learn 9-1-1 simulator app. Once the account has been created, you will receive an email with your login credentials and how to access your account. Be advised that the email with your login credentials may be received in your Spam or Junk folder, so please ensure to check there. After receiving your login credentials, you can then access the Learn 9-1-1 simulator website to log in to your account and create an event pin. An event pin is required to utilize the app as it is shared with others you are educating or demonstrating with. Each event will require a new event pin. Upon successfully creating an event pin, the final step is entering the event pin on the Learn 9-1-1 simulator app and selecting the type of session you want to demonstrate: 9-1-1 call or a text-to-9-1-1 session.

The Learn 9-1-1 simulator app was designed to be user friendly and functional. NCT9-1-1 wants to make learning how to successfully call 9-1-1 as easy as possible! If you have questions related to the 9-1-1 simulator app, please email the 9-1-1 Operations Team at 911opsteam@nct911.org.

In Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety (TX DPS) coordinates with different agencies known as the State Network to disseminate public safety information in the form of alert codes. These agencies include the Texas Department of Transportation, the National Weather Service, Law Enforcement, the Media, the Texas Lottery Commission, the Independent Bankers Association of Texas, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The goal of the State Network is to rapidly notify the public of urgent public safety situations, specific missing person cases, and law enforcement to tips and leads.

Alert codes can be issued anywhere in the state of Texas, including statewide. Each alert code can be displayed on multiple different outlets including but not limited to SMS alerts, billboards, overhead signs, etc. Below are the official names of the different alert code types:

· AMBER

· Silver

· Blue

· Endangered Missing Person

· Camo

· CLEAR

· Power Outage

· Active Shooter

AMBER Alert

The AMBER alert is an acronym that stands for America’s Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response alert. The AMBER alert was the first in the nation to be established created and was created in response to the kidnapping and death of nine year old Amber Hagerman of Arlington, Texas. AMBER alerts are activated for children 17 years of age or younger whose whereabouts are unknown, and whose disappearance has been determined by law enforcement to be unwilling, which poses a credible threat to the child’s life.

Silver Alert

The Silver alert was created to notify the public of missing elderly adults with documented mental conditions. Specifically, for those who suffer from various mental conditions like Alzheimer’s disease and or other forms of dementia.

Blue Alert

The Blue alert was created to speed in the apprehension of violent criminals who kill or seriously wound local, state, or federal law enforcement officers. During Blue alerts, the public receives information regarding the suspected assailant, facilitating tips and leads to law enforcement.

Endangered Missing Person

The Endangered Missing Person alert was created for those with intellectual disabilities (Autism, Developmental Disorders et.) who are missing. The Endangered Missing Person alert is disseminated for missing persons of any age with an intellectual disability.

Camo Alert

The Camo alert was created to notify the public of a missing current or former member of the United States armed forces.

CLEAR Alert

The CLEAR alert stands for the Coordinated Law Enforcement Adult Rescue (CLEAR) alert. The CLEAR alert was created to close the gap between missing children and senior citizens (individuals between 18 and 64 years of age). The CLEAR alert serves to assist law enforcement in locating and rescuing missing, kidnapped, or abducted adults who are in immediate danger as well as aid in locating any potential suspects. The name of the CLEAR alert honors victims to violence which led to the CLEAR alert legislation: Cayley Mandadi, D’Lisa Kelley, Erin Castro, Ashanti Billie, and the Rest.

Power Outage Alert

The Power Outage alert is designed to notify Texas broadcasters when the power supply won’t meet the demand for the state or region. Once this alert is disseminated, broadcasters will provide useful information to the public of the potential grid emergency as well as resource information from the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) with oversight of grid operations in Texas. The PUC and any of the four independent organizations may request activation of the power outage alert network when the power supply does not meet the demand for the state or a region. The four independent organizations with oversight to the grid operation in Texas are the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Midwest Reliability Organization, Southeast Reliability Corporation, and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council.

Active Shooter Alert

The Active Shooter Alert was created to alert people in proximity of active shooter situations. The goal of this alert is to save lives and prevent mass violence by notifying the public of nearby active shooter situations and encouraging them to avoid the area or shelter in place.

For more information related to the different types of alert codes, please visit the TX DPS website.

Every year, the North Central Texas Emergency Communication District (NCT9-1-1) hosts a 9-1-1 Gala to honor and commemorate 9-1-1 telecommunicators, supervisors, trainers, public educators, and Emergency Communications Centers (ECCs) within the NCT9-1-1 service area. The 9-1-1 Gala is 100% sponsored and is possible due to the gracious support from vendors. The event brings together representatives from the NCT9-1-1 service area to reflect upon the past year and acknowledge those that went above and beyond.

History of the 9-1-1 Gala

Prior to 2020, NCT9-1-1 hosted luncheons during a quarterly ECC Supervisor meeting where awards were presented in various categories. After years of doing this, the Operations team evaluated the possibility of transforming the awards luncheon into something bigger. Months of researching what others did led to a thought becoming a reality. The first 9-1-1 Gala was to be held in March 2020, but the COVID-19 pandemic halted the event from occurring. After two years of waiting, NCT9-1-1 hosted the first 9-1-1 Gala in April 2022 during National Public Safety Telecommunications Week. This was the first entertaining event that NCT9-1-1 hosted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the smiling faces of those that attended were a welcomed sight.

The 2023 9-1-1 Gala

The 2023 9-1-1 Gala theme was Texas. ECC representatives, NCT9-1-1 staff members, and vendor sponsors dusted off their boots and enjoyed a night of fun, food, dancing, and awards. With over 200 guests in attendance, the 2023 9-1-1 Gala was a momentous success.

The recipients of the 2023 9-1-1 Gala awards were as followed:

• 2022 Agency of the year- Hood County Sheriff’s Office
• 2022 Telecommunicator of the Year – Cody Quebedeaux, Allen Police Department
• 2022 Telecommunications Team of the Year – Navarro County Sheriff’s Office
• 2022 Supervisor of the Year – Tyler Brown, Hood County Sheriff’s Office
• 2022 Public Education Professional of the Year – Jaime Gibson, Allen Police Department
• 2022 Training Professional of the Year – Jennifer Hampton, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
• 2022 TDD/TTY Above and Beyond – Prosper Police Department
• 2022 Professionalism Awards-
• Emily Sartor, Collin County Sheriff’s Office
• Elyssa Ellis, Corsicana Police Department
• Jenny Leyva, Corsicana Police Department
• Debra Murray, Ellis County Sheriff’s Office
• Cherise Cubberly, Frisco Police Department
• Katelyn Giesemann, McKinney Police Department
• Kaylei Hickey, Weatherford Police Department

NCT9-1-1 is thankful for the generosity and support of the vendor sponsorship as the 9-1-1 Gala could not have been hosted without them. Thank you to RapidDeploy, Synergem Technologies, Datamark, and Mission Critical Partners. Also, thank you to Cathy Kim Le photography for her voluntary services of capturing wonderful memories and It’s Your Night DJ services for the impressive dance music mix.