Two 911 Calls Find One Hiker

The city of Amherst (Mass.) turned on its new Phase II equipment last month, and on the first day it helped find a lost hiker. Comm center director Rita Burke said several other hikers have been located since. In one case the hiker dialed 911 for help, and dispatchers pinpointed his location. Police were dispatched, and then a sergeant also dailed 911, pinpointing his location. By using the two Phase II calls, dispatchers were able to guide the sergeant to the lost hiker. The new gear and training was paid by the Statewide Emergency Telecommunications Boards (SETB).