LEBAN@UMASS-CS.CSNET (Bruce) (01/15/86)
Another advantage of Enhanced 911 is that you can give them information about yourself in advance and it will automatically be retrieved when you call 911. I have a friend whose sister is speech-impaired and was alone when the stove caught on fire. She called 911, the dispatcher automatically knew that she could not communicate well, heard the smoke detector in the background and was able to send the fire department. One would hope that they can do this without Enhanced 911, but it might have taken longer. In California, they fund the cost of the upgrades by a state-wide surcharge on telephone lines. I think it's well worth the nickel a month, and I'm hoping the rest of the country follows suit. --- Bruce Leban leban%umass.csnet