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Monday, March 03, 2003
Davao Dials 911
By Jojie Alcantara
LAUNCHED on September 27, 2002, Davao City Central Communication & Emergency Response Center, otherwise known as Davao City 911, was introduced to the city as the first of a kind operating state-of-the-art sophisticated mapping and an emergency dispatch system developed and donated by Davao Light & Power Co. (DLPC), a private electric distribution utility.
As a new unit under the Davao City Mayor's Office, Davao City 911 evolved as the brainchild of Mayor Rodrigo Duterte to attain peace and order, together with DLPC executive vice president and chief operating officer Alfonso Aboitiz, who saw the opportunity to support the city mayor's vision.
After the city's acquisition of 36 brand new police cars came the idea to effectively combine an unbeatable tandem of the city's resources and the technologically advanced expertise of DLPC in computerized mapping and emergency dispatching.
DLPC recruited and trained personnel to accept emergency calls, accurately track location of responders and immediately dispatch requests to the location's nearest emergency service providers (police, fire departments, and hospitals for ambulance service).
As a gesture of goodwill, DLPC donated the Emergency Computer Aided Dispatch (Ecad), a sophisticated computer program designed to locate callers and emergency service providers accurately anywhere within the city.
Worth around P1M, ECAD was donated by DLPC through its social development arm, the Aboitiz Group Foundation, Inc. (Agfi).
Other donations of DLPC/Agfi were the PABX equipment, computer server and electrical wirings valued at P600Th, P105Th and P85Th respectively.
Modifications were also made by DLPC Electronic and Radio Engineers to increase the capability of the Davao City 911 communication system.
The Ecad is a customized version of the original computerized mapping system of DLPC called "PowerOne", and was originally developed to accurately locate DLPC's customers through its poles.
Like PowerOne, the Ecad has a detailed visual representation of DLPC's franchise, which includes even the smallest alleys. However, its system does not contain the names and addresses of DLPC customers.
The Ecad system also has the ability to track down all emergency service providers based on their last reported location. When an emergency situation is called in, the operator locates for both site reported and the nearest emergency provider concerned. Other 911 systems do not have this capability.
Emergency service providers are issued the printed version of the Ecad maps.
Upon receipt of a call, they will confirm the location using their maps. This shortens response time in an emergency. If within the city, response takes an average of 5 minutes from the nearest provider.
In cases of emergency, check your DLPC Location Code (grid codes) printed in the upper right hand corner of DLPC billing statement to serve as quick reference in cases of emergency. Dial 911 and inform the operator of your problem.
You will be asked for your DLPC Location Code and information of familiar landmarks in your area (street names, intersections, etc.). You are then advised that help is on the way.
If you do not have your DLPC location code, at least provide the 911 operator with all other possible information that will help validate exact location of the emergency. It is advisable that DLPC bills are placed in accessible areas easily within reach (beside your phone set, etc.).
According to Col. Verner Monsanto, consultant on peace and order and disaster management and at the same time OIC of Davao City 911, this new venture has helped the police become efficient and alert in their tasks because it eliminates reasons for failures as they are provided with enough mobile units and radios.
Recently, the Duterte has approved purchase of three new ambulance units for medical services. Soon the Mayor plans to buy motorcycles.
Eventually, Davao City 911 is aimed to become the control communication center of the city mayor.
There is also an increased awareness of the public to call for help, he added.
Averaging 62 calls a day for a three-shift, 24-hour round-the-clock staff of 911, the highest percentage of calls for help are public disturbances. Domestic quarrels come second, while suspicious circumstances garner third.
On a lighter note, the operators were asked about the funniest or strangest calls they have ever received. One call was about her prepaid cell card pin number that still would not load. Another asked for phone sex.
Still, malicious offenders and mischief makers beware. These operators are highly trained. Eventually you will still be tracked down. |
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