New 9-1-1 system speeds up emergency response times Published April 25, 2012 By Danny Webb 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Making an emergency 9-1-1 call on Sheppard Air Force Base got a whole lot quicker after the installation of a new computer-based system replaced the aging and out-of-date previous system. The enhanced emergency system was put in place last December and has the ability to plot the map location of a caller regardless if the call came in via a traditional landline or cell phone. With the old system, a call originating from a cell phone would be routed to an off-base emergency dispatcher, who would then have to contact the on-base dispatcher to coordinate a response. According to Mark Krotzer, 82nd Civil Engineering Squadron and Emergency Communication Center (ECC) dispatcher, anytime a 9-1-1 phone call originates from the base, its location will automatically map on the Monaco operating system, increasing the speed of getting first responders on scene. "Being called to a location looking for people takes up valuable time," Krotzer said. "This upgraded system is a lot more accurate and can locate a caller's location directly to the building and even room number." Adding to the response speed factor, a conference call with one push of a button can be made among first responders including security forces, the fire department, medical and a myriad of off-base agencies from which information or response is needed. "Our main mission is to link first responders on base to our other on-base resources like the command post and hospital, by linking them all together under this one new system," said Maj Wade Dillard, 82nd Communications Squadron commander. "Even with over 6000 customers on base every day, if you are incapacitated, unable to speak and can only dial E-9-1-1, we're going to find you."