What information does the Enhanced 9-1-1 (E-9-1-1) system provide to dispatchers?

The Enhanced 9-1-1 (E-9-1-1) system is designed to provide real-time information to emergency dispatchers that significantly aids in responding to calls. The primary benefit of this system is its ability to automatically provide the location of the caller. When a person dials 9-1-1, the E-9-1-1 system identifies the precise geographic location of the caller, which is crucial for dispatching emergency services to the right place without delay. This feature enhances the speed and efficiency of emergency responses, as it eliminates the need for dispatchers to ask for the caller's location during the initial moments of a potentially critical situation.

While it may also collect other types of information, E-9-1-1's most essential function is its ability to share the caller’s location with emergency services, ensuring that first responders can reach the scene as quickly as possible. Other types of information, such as the caller’s name and contact number, emergency service availability, and medical history, are generally not automatically provided by the E-9-1-1 system itself, and while they may aid in understanding the situation better, they do not play a critical role in the immediate response initiated by the call.