NCJ Number
67534
Journal
TELEPHONE ENGINEER AND MANAGEMENT Dated: (OCTOBER 15, 1977) Pages: 60-62
Date Published
1977
Length
3 pages
Annotation
NEW FEATURES ADDED TO EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBER 911 HELP SOLVE COMMUNICATIONS PROBLEMS THAT ARISE IN SUCH SITUATIONS AS A CALLER WHO HANGS UP WITHOUT GIVING AN ADDRESS, OR OTHER COMPLICATIONS.
Abstract
BASED ON THE SUGGESTIONS OF BELL OPERATING COMPANIES, THE 8A KEY TELEPHONE SYSTEM WAS DEVELOPED. THIS NEW SYSTEM HAS CENTRAL-OFFICE TRUNKS TO CONNECT 911 CALLS TO THE EMERGENCY ANSWERING BUREAU, INTRODUCES NEW FEATURES WHICH ALLOW ATTENDANTS TO CONTROL A CONNECTION REGARDLESS OF THE CALLER'S ACTIONS (CALLED-PARTY CONTROL) AND RINGS BACK AN EMERGENCY CALLER FOR MORE INFORMATION BY PRESSING A BUTTON (EMERGENCY RINGBACK). IT IS CAPABLE OF MONITORING THE STATUS OF CALLS PLACED ON HOLD (CALLED-PARTY STATUS) AND TRANSFERRING CALL DIRECTLY-TO FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND HOSPITALS, FOR EXAMPLE, (CALL-TRANSFER CAPABILITY). THE CALL-TRANSFER CONTROL FEATURE ALLOWS THE OPERATOR TO DISCONNECT A TRANSFER LINE WITHOUT DISCONNECTING THE 911 CALLER (TRANSFER RELEASE). THESE NEW FEATURES INVOLVE THE INSTALLATION OF NEW EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING WALL-MOUNTED DEVICES FOR EMERGENCY ANSWERING BUREAUS AND EXTERNAL DEVICES. AS OF 1977, 8A SYSTEMS WERE IN OPERATION AT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER IN ROCHESTER, MINN., AND IN FARGO, N.D. (LGR)