Oneida County 911 Center Improves Cell Phone Location Capability

New RapidLite Tool Now Complementing Emergency Call System

The Oneida County 911 Center is now complementing its emergency calling system with a tool that receives fast and accurate location data through 911 calls made from mobile devices.

The Oneida County Department of Emergency Services began using RapidLite earlier this month. The system draws precision location data from iPhones utilizing iOS 12 or higher and Android devices with operating system Version 4.0 or higher.

“Oneida County always seeks to implement 911 technology tools that will improve emergency response for constituents,” said Oneida County Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr. “This new asset will serve as a complement to our existing 911 system, providing an even further level of precision and safety. It has already been put to use several times with several 911 ‘hang up’ calls to find the location of the callers, and we have been impressed with the results.”

RapidLite’s GPS technology is similar to that used by Uber in its ridesharing service, and is able to pinpoint a mobile phone user’s near exact location when an emergency call is made from his or her device. Approximately 80% of 911 calls in the U.S. are made using cell phones.

“In order to utilize this valuable tool, emergency mobile callers must have the proper operating systems installed on their phones,” said Oneida County Emergency Services Coordinator Kevin Revere. “I urge everyone who would like to reap the added safety benefits of the RapidLite system to upgrade their devices and take advantage of its benefits.”

RapidLite is a completely free solution available with no commitment to every authorized 911 Center nationwide, providing invaluable information to call-takers and dispatchers as they work to send callers appropriate help quickly. It is also free to use for the public, which only has to have an up-to-date operating system in order to participate.

“Oneida County is leading the way in 911 technology to improve emergency response,” said RapidSOS CEO, Michael Martin. “We are thrilled to provide their dispatchers with the information they need to get citizens help quickly in an emergency, saving lives and property.”