Merit Logo Merit IconSet
Skip to content

Understanding Enhanced 911 (e911)

Note: This article from Merit's News Archive is over 2 years old. The information contained within it may be out of date, including missing images or broken links.

February 17, 2016

The State of Michigan has joined 20 other states in passing legislation to require “enhanced 911” service, or e911, that will automatically display the phone number and detailed location information to the emergency dispatch. The aim of this legislation is to help first responders locate callers quickly, especially if they are not able to communicate where they are over the phone. Enhanced 911 also helps initially route the call to the closest dispatch, also called a “public safety answering point” or PSAP, that routes calls to the appropriate service such as fire, police, or ambulance, to get to the distressed caller faster.
e911

How does the PSAP get this location information?

It’s not magic – it’s people and technology! And that’s where you as the operator of a Multi-Line Telephone System (MLTS) & your MLTS manager, such as MeritVoice, come in. Through our VOIP partners, Telnet World Wide & CCI Systems, our Voice service will include methods for adding & updating location information to your phone records.

When you make a 911 call, your organization’s street address is included in a type of record called “Automatic Location Identifier” that is sent to your PSAP. With e911, an “Emergency Response Location” record will now be included with your address. ERL records include a floor number, room number, a landmark, a building identifier, and whether any hazardous materials are stored at that location that emergency responders may need to know about to minimize property damage and ensure safety. The level of detail to provide depends on the size and structure of your site.

How do you create & maintain your ERL records?

First, reach out to your PSAP. (You can find your PSAP here.) They can consult with you on the best way to describe the locations of your phones and help make sure your buildings, floors, and other regions are adequately described & labeled. You’ll need to do an inventory of your phones and any other VOIP devices that can dial 911 so that they each include their location description.

Second, educate staff within your organization. Let them know that each phone will now have a detailed location record that will need to be updated if the phone is moved. You can add stickers to phones to remind staff not to move phones, or instruct them to call your help desk before they do. Your technology staff can then update the ERL records.

When does the new e911 requirement go into effect? You’ll have until December 31, 2016 to create your ERL records and send them to your MLTS manager. After that, fines will be levied for non-compliance ranging from $500 – $5,000. Merit is here to help – if you have any questions, please contact your Member Relations manager or [email protected] and we’ll help you get your organization ready for e911!

Read the guidelines for this new legislation here.

State e911 Legislation-How This Affects your Organization and How to Navigate the Changes

Watch this video introduction to e911,
hosted by Merit’s Jim Moran.