US 5,960,337 A · Method for responding to an emergency event

Abstract

A method for improving the provision of emergency assistance services for an emergency site. An observer of an emergency event contacts an Emergency Assistance Services (EAS) operator, using a telephone to describe the type of emergency event and any special circumstances present. The EAS operator also receives the present location of the observer, using a location determination system that is connected to the telephone used by the observer. The EAS operator is provided with an electronic map showing the location of the observer and the location of at least one available EAS responder for the type of emergency event that has occurred. The EAS operator determines whether a given EAS responder has the equipment and/or trained personnel required to respond to the emergency event and, from a group of EAS responders who do so qualify, selects an EAS responder who is estimated to be able to reach the emergency site in the shortest time. The selected EAS responder is assigned to respond to the emergency event, and the EAS operator optionally monitors the EAS responder to verify that this responder has reached the emergency site. If the assigned EAS responder does not reach the emergency site, the EAS operator optionally and promptly assigns another EAS responder to the emergency event. The LD system can be a Satellite Positioning System, such as GPS or GLONASS, or can be an FM subcarrier system.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for responding to occurrence of an emergency event, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving, by an emergency assistance services operator, denoted an "EAS" operator, information on an emergency event observed by an observer and on location of the observer, where the observer location is automatically determined and transmitted to the EAS operator;
displaying for the EAS operator the observer location and a location of at least one site of an EAS responder that provides emergency assistance services and that is available to respond to the emergency event;
estimating a time interval .DELTA.t(response) required for at least one available EAS responder to move from at least one EAS responder site to the observer location;
estimating which EAS responder will take the shortest time interval .DELTA.t(response) to reach the observer location, and selecting and notifying at least one EAS responder to respond to the emergency event;
receiving information on a present location of a selected EAS responder vehicle dispatched by the selected EAS responder to the observer location;
determining whether the selected EAS responder vehicle will reach the observer location within a selected time interval;
and
when it is determined that the selected EAS responder vehicle will not reach the observer location within the selected time interval, selecting and notifying a second EAS responder to respond to the emergency event.

5 more elements

Apparatus for responding to occurrence of an emergency event, the apparatus comprising:

a telephone, monitored by an emergency assistance service operator, denoted an "EAS" operator, for receiving, from an observer of an emergency event, information on the type of emergency event and location of the observer, where the observer location is automatically determined and transmitted to the EAS operator;
a response module connected to the telephone and comprising:
an electronic display that displays, for the EAS operator, the observer location and a location of at least one site of an EAS responder that provides emergency assistance services and that is available to respond to the emergency event;
and
a computer that:
(1) receives information on the observer location and on at least one EAS responder site location;
(2) estimates a time interval length .DELTA.t(response) required for at least one available EAS responder to move from an EAS responder site to the observer location;
(3) estimates which EAS responder will take the shortest time interval .DELTA.t(response) to reach the observer location;
(4) selects and notifies at least one EAS responder to respond to the emergency event;
(5) receives information on a present location of an EAS responder vehicle dispatched by the selected EAS responder to the observer location;
(6) determines whether the selected EAS responder vehicle will reach the observer location within a selected time interval;
and (7) when it is determined that the selected EAS responder vehicle will not reach the observer location within the selected time interval, the computer selects and notifies a second EAS responder to respond to the emergency event.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for responding to an emergency event

Life of this patent

Method for responding to an emergency event

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20