Cell phones and vehicle crash-detection systems can unintentionally dispatch volunteer emergency responders
When visitors and recreationalists head to the mountains it is safe to say most do not think about who will respond in the event of an emergency. Outside of metropolitan areas, volunteer first responders from the closest rural fire department likely will fill that critical role. These volunteers face many of the same challenges experienced by non-volunteer emergency responders in towns and cities.
Did you know your cell phone or vehicle can place an automated 911 call if you are in a crash or other emergency? This feature has notified Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department (RCVFD) responders of a rollover crash and certainly sped up the department’s response. The downside of the feature is that responding departments receive approximately five false alarms for every real emergency…