MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. — Before April, it could take MEDIC minutes to find someone on the other end of a 911 call.
Officials said they can now do it in seconds.
Mecklenburg first responders used to use satellites to find someone's location, but that wasn't always accurate. The new technology, called RapidSOS, is now being used in dispatch centers at MEDIC, the Charlotte Fire Department and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.
When you call 911, dispatchers plug in your phone numbers on the software and it immediately finds your phone.
[ALSO READ: Dozens sign online petition targeting MEDIC's response time]
A few months ago, someone called 911 from the U.S. National Whitewater Center. They went into cardiac arrest while trapped on an island. MEDIC said it used the new technology to pinpoint their exact location.
MEDIC said in big calls, like the deadly Interstate 485 crash at Providence Road crash last week, RapidSOS will likely be used in addition to information from other 911 callers.
Operations Supervisor with MEDIC, Thomas Brake, said they have the biggest trouble locating drivers on I-485.
"I-485 has always been a challenge for us because, unfortunately, the majority of callers don’t know where they are when something happens, accidents happen," Brake said.
If you use Uber, it's the same technology.
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If you ever have to push the help button on the Uber app, MEDIC, police and fire can now get to you faster.
Brake said, "Not only will we get your information, we’ll get the drivers name, we’ll get the car description, license, where they picked you up and where they dropped you off."
The one thing the technology can't do is locate the exact floor of a high rise. However, that's something the company is working on.
MEDIC said the company has been trying to address privacy concerns. They said even if you have turned off your location setting, that doesn't apply to first responders. However, your number disappears permanently from the system five minutes after you hang up.
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Cox Media Group
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