What Is Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)?
Have you ever wondered how the 911 call center works? A public safety answering point (PSAP) is a call center responsible for answering calls to an emergency telephone number for police, firefighting and ambulance services. A PSAP facility runs 24 hours daily, dispatching emergency services or passing 911 calls to public or private safety agencies. Trained operators are responsible for shipping the emergency services. The primary function of a PSAP is to answer 911 calls and deliver the appropriate emergency service(s). In many cases, PSAPs receive calls directly from individuals seeking help. The PSAP operator will assess the situation, determine which service best fits the caller's need and send out one or more response teams (e.g., police officers, firefighters, paramedics). PSAP operators must thoroughly understand local laws and regulations to make informed decisions when handling situations such as domestic violence or other crimes in progress. In addition to handling emergencies, a PSAP may provide non-emergency information, such as snow removal routes or nearby community events. Some PSAPs offer callers access to information about health insurance plans; others may have links to volunteer opportunities within their communities. You know that feeling when you call a company, get put on hold for an eternity, and then are greeted by an automated voice telling you to press 1 for this and 2 for that? We hate that too. Don't worry! You can get the same information about your emergency or non-emergency situation without waiting. With PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points) now able to identify caller locations for landline calls and determine the location of mobile phone callers, it's easier than ever to find exactly where you need to go. Each PSAP has between two and 12 answering point units (APUs), which receive landline and enhanced wireless 911 emergency calls. The APU shows a landline caller's name, address and number. For a wireless caller, the system displays the address of the wireless tower that delivers the call, the mobile number and the estimated location of the caller.
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