Michael Smith of skowhegan, ME I am not sure of the source of Mike123's information in reference to the information on the ANI/ALI screen often being inaccurate, but that is far from the truth. Of the over 1900 E9-1-1 calls that were received at Somerset Communications/PSAP last month there were 4 calls that had inaccurate information. I think that you can hardly call .3% inaccuracy as often. In fact, the biggest issues with inaccurate information comes from municipalities who have failed to address their residents by the State E9-1-1 Addressing procedure or the residents failure to update change of address with the local phone company.
I could never advocate that people use the non-emergency number to the local PD instead of calling 9-1-1. Most local PDs have automated answering systems, especially after normal business hours, that direct the caller to hang up and dial 9-1-1 if they have an emergency. This would actually create a longer time delay in getting emergency responders dispatched to your complaint.
I don't think the issue is the entire system, rather it is the type of system that has been the problem in these Centers. The Centers that have had issues have an Automatic Call Distribution(ACD) System much like a Telemarketing Call Center. There have been very few issues in the Centers where there is no ACD and the calls are always answered directly by a live person; and what there have been for issues pale in comparison to the problems that have been experienced at the ACD Centers.
As far as calls being rerouted to State Centers, this is just one of 22 Centers in Maine that is not a State Center. I am sure that we would see many other obstacles if we were to have all 9-1-1 calls in Maine sent to 4 Call Centers and then transferred to the appropriate Dispatch Center; first and foremost would be the delay in starting emergency responders as the callers would be telling their story to multiple agencies. This would be nothing more than a degradation of the existing system.report abuse

Jon Bon Jovi of Gorham, ME No commentreport abuse

personal rights of Windsor, ME Hunh! I don't even hear any birds...report abuse

Mike123 of Windham, ME Funny that this comes on the tail end of a story done yesterday where a State Communications Bureau Director said the system was working great.... oopps, spoke to soon!!!

The public should do themselves a favor and look up the local number to their emergency dispatch center and use it, skipping the 9-1-1 system completely. By not calling 9-1-1 you can avoid the computer issues that seem to lose your call and get the dispatcher that actually will send you the help as opposed to transferring you.

The only benefit to the 9-1-1 computer system itself is that the Dispatcher can see your address and phone number on a screen, but even that is often inaccurate.report abuse