A new protocol makes it easier for first responders to find you when you call 9-1-1 in an emergency. FCC rules implementing federal statutes known as Kari’s Law and Ray Baum’s Act define what should happen when a call is made to 9-1-1 (which is a Public Safety Answering Point, or PSAP). One goal of these laws is to direct first responders to a caller’s location as quickly as possible.

The law generally requires that an operator of a multi-line telephone system, such as Penn, provide simultaneous notification to a central location when 9-1-1 is dialed from a telephone in the system. The law also requires that the operator notify 9-1-1 of the phone number and accurate location of 9-1-1 calls placed from the system.

Under the new protocol, when 9-1-1 is dialed from a University PennFlex telephone within the Penn patrol zone, Public Safety PennComm Emergency Center dispatchers will also be able to listen in on the call to obtain critical information for our first responders.  The Public Safety dispatcher cannot speak to the caller or the 9-1-1 call taker.

For University locations outside of Penn Public Safety’s patrol zone, building personnel will be notified where possible.

By adding Public Safety dispatchers to the call, Public Safety will be able to provide a faster response in an emergency. As always, we encourage Penn community members to dial (215) 573-3333 (or 5-1-1 from your campus phone) within our patrol zone for any medical, fire, or police emergency.

In the event 9-1-1 is dialed in an emergency, this new protocol will assist us with ensuring that emergency personnel most closely located to the caller are notified.

Starting in March, all calls to 9-1-1 from a University phone number will feature this safety enhancement. FAQs are available online.

—Information Systems and Computing