All new phones from Verizon have a 911 alarm.

[Sprint_Tomas]

C'mon, folks, lets clarify the problem and what would be a fix - its not that "turning off emergency mode" is the goal, it's simply silencing the emergency mode audible alert.

PROBLEM
When switching into "emergency mode" as a result of dialing "911" many current cellphones emit a tone or series of tones announcing that fact. A number of us feel the audible signal is a bad idea.

NEED
A way to allow the owner of the handset (the customer) to silence the emergency mode audible alert.

SOLUTION
Unknown at this time. (Likely will require a firmware update to the unit to allow the option.)

Is that pretty much right? The objective is NOT to disable calling 911 or to disable any of the operational features of emergency mode other than allowing the owner of the handset to choose to silence the audible alert the unit emits when switching into emergency mode, and making that the default.

(It's not a discussion of whether or not the local PSAP is equipped to display location information, it is not a discussion of how aGPS works, its not a discussion of location by tower triangulation, it's not a discussion of how emergency mode works.)

There are just a few questions to answer:

Which phones emit an audible alert when entering emergency mode?
Can the audible alert be silenced without firmware changes?
If a firmware change is needed, how do we get the vendors to do that?

I'm currently attempting to discuss this with Sprint Nextel.

Is anyone actually trying to accomplish anything with Verizon?

Tom

[Domain]

I tried putting 611 into my Samsung's emergency list and turned on GPS for emergency only. My GPS location icon still showed disabled when dialing 611. It made the emergency sounds, and stated "EMERGENCY" on the screen but never showed activating the GPS location mode icon. So removing 911, or any other # from the emergency list does not disable E911 GPS location on cells... at least on my Samsung. It is the fact of dialing 911 that triggers GPS location regardless of the numbers in your emergency list.

I've never, ever seen the GPS icon show usage. Even in real 911 calls.

[Led Zeppelin]

In reality, who really gives a crap about the e911 stuff? I think it is over rated. For years before the "e911" was put into place, people survived. People made 911 emergency calls and were able to give their location without problems.

A few weeks ago I called 911, when asked for my location I then replied that my phone has the e911 capability, so can't you tell where I am. The 911 person said no, then asked for my location (which I gave her).

Its just my opinion, but I think the e911 stuff is crap let alone the stupid siren on the phone when you dial 911. And the siren is all because of Verizon reading something into the law that wasn't there.

God forbid you ever need emergency services and you call from your cell phone, it hits the wrong tower, and they can't get to you in time. You'll rethink that it's a "joke".

You're forgetting, some agency's that dispatch their own fire and ems don't all have advanced e911, probably because someone like you didn't vote for it in order to save $10 a year on their taxes. I've had 911 calls from 50 miles away, and twice from different states.

Btw, I resent 911 callers like you that play the games that you did:

A few weeks ago I called 911, when asked for my location I then replied that my phone has the e911 capability, so can't you tell where I am. The 911 person said no, then asked for my location (which I gave her).

What the F is that all about? Stop being an @$$ and just give your location, and save the dispatcher, who already has a stressful job to begin with, from having to pry it out of you without playing your stupid guessing games. Idiot.

[burtot]

I've never, ever seen the GPS icon show usage. Even in real 911 calls.

Mine does change depending on if I set it to location on always, or just E911. E911 only the icon turns off. I would have to actually call 911 to see if the icon changes. Something I do not plan on doing. I do not doubt it would not change to GPS on though.

[Bearmj]

[QUOTE=Sprint_Tomas]C'mon, folks, lets clarify the problem and what would be a fix - its not that "turning off emergency mode" is the goal, it's simply silencing the emergency mode audible alert.

Well said Sprint_Tomas. Does anyone know if the V9m from Verizon has the tone?

[SimpleKindaMan]

That lady in the article sounds like a spaz. Although I don't think that having a somewhat loud audible tone come on when dialing 911 is a great idea, I'm not going to lose sleep over it.

[Domain]

Mine does change depending on if I set it to location on always, or just E911. E911 only the icon turns off. I would have to actually call 911 to see if the icon changes. Something I do not plan on doing. I do not doubt it would not change to GPS on though.

I've tried it, nothing happens, and I know the Erie County 911 dispatch is Phase II.

[NOKB4MOTO]

My 815 does not display any Emergency mode on the screen by entering 911 (I did not hit Send). I also don't have the security menu to enter emergency numbers that others have mentioned.

Just a thought (and I haven't seen it mentioned)...could the purpose of the 911 alarm actually be to call ATTENTION to the caller from nearby people? Imagine a scenario where you are disabled by an accident, trapped, pinned or otherwise unable to speak/move...all you can do is dial 911 from you cell. Yes, the 911 dispatcher may eventually track you down via GPS...but alerting a passerby of your location will be quicker and may save your life.

Nonetheless, it should be an option.

[aRBy]

My 815 does not display any Emergency mode on the screen by entering 911 (I did not hit Send). I also don't have the security menu to enter emergency numbers that others have mentioned.

Just a thought (and I haven't seen it mentioned)...could the purpose of the 911 alarm actually be to call ATTENTION to the caller from nearby people? Imagine a scenario where you are disabled by an accident, trapped, pinned or otherwise unable to speak/move...all you can do is dial 911 from you cell. Yes, the 911 dispatcher may eventually track you down via GPS...but alerting a passerby of your location will be quicker and may save your life.

Nonetheless, it should be an option.

You have to hit send, and then it will switch in to emergency mode.

To enter emergency numbers or edit the ones already there you need to go in to programming menu.

[ScruffyGuy]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the purpose of the 911 alarm was for the hearing impaired. But in all reality, it is just something stupid Verizon has added on to the phone. I wonder who the **** was who decided to have this on the phones and not as an option?

My 815 does not display any Emergency mode on the screen by entering 911 (I did not hit Send). I also don't have the security menu to enter emergency numbers that others have mentioned.

Just a thought (and I haven't seen it mentioned)...could the purpose of the 911 alarm actually be to call ATTENTION to the caller from nearby people? Imagine a scenario where you are disabled by an accident, trapped, pinned or otherwise unable to speak/move...all you can do is dial 911 from you cell. Yes, the 911 dispatcher may eventually track you down via GPS...but alerting a passerby of your location will be quicker and may save your life.

Nonetheless, it should be an option.

[burtot]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought the purpose of the 911 alarm was for the hearing impaired. But in all reality, it is just something stupid Verizon has added on to the phone. I wonder who the **** was who decided to have this on the phones and not as an option?

You are wrong. My Cricket phone does the same thing. Though I can remove the annoying beeping by removing the 911 number from the emergency numbers list. So you are only half wrong. Verizon is only keeping you from removing it, not that Verizon was the ones that thought it up. I can verify that dialing 911 with it removed from emergency #s list does in fact turn off the beep noises.

[Donkey]

If I ever had to dial 911, I'd probably armed and ready for anything until the authorities arrive.

[MassMike]

If I ever had to dial 911, I'd probably armed and ready for anything until the authorities arrive.

But "what if" <I know, lol> you heard a noise outside, went to investigate and saw someone trying to break into your or a neighbors house, car, ect...... you reach for your phone to call the police AND WHAM WOOOHOOO WHOOOOHOOOO WHOOOO WHOOO WHOOOO damn phone gives away your position.....the sucker gets away......or worse comes after you!

Until you've been in a position where you have had to call the police where any outside noise can give you away, you don't fully understand how such a thing can adversely affect you.

Kinda like Pro Choice or Pro Life hu? lol

[akhbwagner]

God forbid you ever need emergency services and you call from your cell phone, it hits the wrong tower, and they can't get to you in time. You'll rethink that it's a "joke".

You're forgetting, some agency's that dispatch their own fire and ems don't all have advanced e911, probably because someone like you didn't vote for it in order to save $10 a year on their taxes. I've had 911 calls from 50 miles away, and twice from different states.

Btw, I resent 911 callers like you that play the games that you did:



What the F is that all about? Stop being an @$$ and just give your location, and save the dispatcher, who already has a stressful job to begin with, from having to pry it out of you without playing your stupid guessing games. Idiot.

I think people who mess with emergency services should be shot. THen they would have real reason to call 911.

[Donkey]

But "what if" <I know, lol> you heard a noise outside, went to investigate and saw someone trying to break into your or a neighbors house, car, ect...... you reach for your phone to call the police AND WHAM WOOOHOOO WHOOOOHOOOO WHOOOO WHOOO WHOOOO damn phone gives away your position.....the sucker gets away......or worse comes after you!

Until you've been in a position where you have had to call the police where any outside noise can give you away, you don't fully understand how such a thing can adversely affect you.

Kinda like Pro Choice or Pro Life hu? lol

Lesson #1, never go out even armed to investigate anything not threatening you or your loved one.

If I heard noise someone trying to break into my neighbor's house, I just dial the local police number. It's programmed into my phone. I'd only dial 911 to report an accident happen in front of me and the people need emergency attention. Or medical emergency someone had a heart attack. And finally I'd call 911 if I see FIRE in the house or neighbor's house.