Locator Diagnostic Tool for Emergency Dispatch Location Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated emergency dispatch systems are inadequate in assisting dispatchers to determine the location of an emergency incident when the caller is unsure or unable to provide it, especially in stressful situations, due to factors like unfamiliarity, injury, or mental conditions, leading to inefficiencies in responding to emergencies.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented emergency dispatch system with a locator diagnostic tool that guides dispatchers through a series of preprogrammed inquiries to gather information from callers, using logical trees and diagnostic tools to identify the incident location, even when the caller is unable to provide it, and provides instructions to the caller to aid in location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated emergency dispatch systems are used, then response efficiency is improved, but the system fails when callers cannot provide location information due to stress, injury, or unfamiliarity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically initiating location determination protocols before the caller can provide information. The dispatcher is preemptively equipped with tools to actively locate the caller through multiple automated methods (GPS, cell tower triangulation, geographic encoding) rather than waiting for caller input.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces intermediary technologies between the caller and the dispatch system. Instead of relying directly on caller-provided location data, the system uses intermediate location determination methods such as GPS tracking, cell tower triangulation, and geographic encoding to indirectly obtain location information when the caller cannot provide it directly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dispatchers manually determine location from callers, then flexibility is maintained, but response time increases and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service location determination where the location data is automatically generated and provided to the dispatcher without requiring manual extraction from the caller. The automated system serves itself by gathering location information through GPS, cell towers, and geographic encoding, freeing the dispatcher from time-consuming manual location determination while maintaining flexibility.
3Device complexity
If traditional dispatch protocols are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but location determination fails when callers are lost, kidnapped, or unable to think clearly
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges multiple location determination methods into a unified protocol that works alongside traditional dispatcher procedures. By combining GPS tracking, cell tower triangulation, geographic encoding, and automated area code analysis into a single integrated system, it maintains simplicity for the dispatcher while dramatically improving location detection capability in all caller conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to guide an emergency dispatcher in responding to emergency calls where the incident location is not known. The systems and methods can include a locator diagnostic tool configured to facilitate thorough and consistent information gathering for calls where the incident location is not known. The locator diagnostic tool may traverse a logical tree configured to gather information that can aid in identifying the incident location and/or provide instructions to the caller that may allow the incident location to be identified. For example, the locator diagnostic tool may aid callers in locating devices designed to transmit their location. The locator diagnostic tool may traverse different logical paths depending on if the caller can speak freely or not, depending on if the caller or a third party is missing, and/or depending on the type of caller location (e.g., inside, outside, or underground).