[Vision2020] Can computers call 911?

[Dan Carscallen]

Ken,

I don't know if anyone from WhitCom peruses the vizzz, nor do I know the
answer to your question (it makes me curious about VOIP).

I have some contacts with WhitCom, from a couple directions, so I'll see
what I can find out.  You've piqued my interest, anyway.

DC

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com
[mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com] On Behalf Of Kenneth Marcy
Sent: Friday, May 29, 2009 12:46 PM
To: vision2020 at moscow.com
Subject: [Vision2020] Can computers call 911? (was: Council Agenda)

On Friday 29 May 2009 12:02:36 Stephanie Kalasz wrote:
> AGENDA MOSCOW CITY COUNCIL
<snip>
> C.     Whitcom Agreement Renewal - Gary J. Riedner
>
> City of Moscow contracted with Whitcom, the consolidated dispatch and
> emergency communications center created by partners Whitman County,
City
> of Pullman and Washington State University for dispatch and emergency
> communications services (E-911) in 2004.  The initial three year
> agreement was renewed in 2007 and is due to expire on December, 31,
> 2009.  The attached agreement was based upon the most recent 2007
> agreement, with minor changes, including updated identification of
> parties and a renewal term of 6 years, allowing the agreement to be in
> effect until December 31, 2015.  The agreement carries forward the
2009
> contractual annual service fee and applies an annual contractual
> adjustment of 3% per contract year.  Other than the contracted annual
> service fee, the City has no managerial or supervisory responsibility
> for Whitcom's operations.  The City Supervisor is an ex-officio member
> of Whitcom's Board.  The agreement continues to provide flexibility
for
> the Whitcom Board and the City of Moscow to explore the potential to
> become a full partner in Whitcom, should partnership be desired by the
> parties.  Reviewed by the Administrative Committee on May 26, 2009.
>
> ACTION:  Approve Agreement renewal with Whitcom.
<snip>

I know that a person can call 911 from a pay phone, a land line, or a
cell 
phone, but is it possible to contact 911 from a personal computer? Is
there 
any one at the Whitcom facilities monitoring an incoming e-mail account
that 
would receive the emergency equivalent of a 911 call as an email? Or
does one 
have to have a phone of some kind to contact 911?


Ken

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