LAKE PROVIDENCE -- The latest in 911 technology is rolling out in East Carroll Parish.
On Wednesday morning, the 911 Center in the parish, launched a next generation 911 system. It's an upgrade from the basic system that took calls through the parish sheriff's office administration line.
It couldn't distinguish an emergency call from a general call to the office.
"If it's a 911, it makes a different sound, it comes off as kind of a siren," said district 19 State Representative Charles "Bubba" Chaney, referring to a loud alarm that echoes throughout the 911 command center room.
Some important benefits the upgrade now features are caller ID capabilities, new software and computers, and GPS mapping technology.
"This is extremely important, especially in a rural district where we're not necessarily overrun with EMS and ambulance services on every corner," said Chaney.
Now, operators can pin-point where the person is calling from -- even if the person is calling from a cellphone -- which helps first-responders know exactly where to go.
Also, if the emergency involves a neighboring parish, the system quickly transfers the call between agencies and shares critical 911 information such as voice communication, caller ID information, and the location. It also can create a conference call with police, fire and EMS in the parish, so a coordinated response time can be organized.
Back in the December runoff elections, the majority of voters in East Carroll parish approved the vote for a new 911 telephone system, which officials are saying is state-of-the-art for Northeast Louisiana.
"You're going to have a quicker response to any emergency throughout the parish, whether it's ems, fire department and sheriff's office," said East Carroll Parish Sheriff, Wydette Williams
He says he's been pushing for this system since he took office in July 2012 -- making contact with representative Chaney and 911 system-related companies like AT&T, Solacom, and InterAct. Solacom is the company providing the new equipment and InterAct provides the 911 system.
"Now we have this new equipment that's gonna be widespread throughout the parish," said Williams. "The blessing is, they can call 911 and get attention to wherever it is."
Chaney says the new system helps the community have more confidence in the parish handling emergency calls.
"They'll have the ability to handle emergency situations more promptly," he said.
A feature that also enables 9-1-1 to receive text messages is still in the works for the East Carroll Parish center. Officials say that service will help those in situations -- such as hostages -- who can't dial 911 directly.
As far as response times, Sheriff Williams say its too early to say how much faster the new 911 system will be.
On Wednesday morning, the 911 Center in the parish, launched a next generation 911 system. It's an upgrade from the basic system that took calls through the parish sheriff's office administration line.
It couldn't distinguish an emergency call from a general call to the office.
"If it's a 911, it makes a different sound, it comes off as kind of a siren," said district 19 State Representative Charles "Bubba" Chaney, referring to a loud alarm that echoes throughout the 911 command center room.
Some important benefits the upgrade now features are caller ID capabilities, new software and computers, and GPS mapping technology.
"This is extremely important, especially in a rural district where we're not necessarily overrun with EMS and ambulance services on every corner," said Chaney.
Now, operators can pin-point where the person is calling from -- even if the person is calling from a cellphone -- which helps first-responders know exactly where to go.
Also, if the emergency involves a neighboring parish, the system quickly transfers the call between agencies and shares critical 911 information such as voice communication, caller ID information, and the location. It also can create a conference call with police, fire and EMS in the parish, so a coordinated response time can be organized.
Back in the December runoff elections, the majority of voters in East Carroll parish approved the vote for a new 911 telephone system, which officials are saying is state-of-the-art for Northeast Louisiana.
"You're going to have a quicker response to any emergency throughout the parish, whether it's ems, fire department and sheriff's office," said East Carroll Parish Sheriff, Wydette Williams
He says he's been pushing for this system since he took office in July 2012 -- making contact with representative Chaney and 911 system-related companies like AT&T, Solacom, and InterAct. Solacom is the company providing the new equipment and InterAct provides the 911 system.
"Now we have this new equipment that's gonna be widespread throughout the parish," said Williams. "The blessing is, they can call 911 and get attention to wherever it is."
Chaney says the new system helps the community have more confidence in the parish handling emergency calls.
"They'll have the ability to handle emergency situations more promptly," he said.
A feature that also enables 9-1-1 to receive text messages is still in the works for the East Carroll Parish center. Officials say that service will help those in situations -- such as hostages -- who can't dial 911 directly.
As far as response times, Sheriff Williams say its too early to say how much faster the new 911 system will be.
