[image via flickr user austrianpsycho]
Los Angeles 911's system sucks. You call for help, wait on hold, and hope to God someone picks up before you bleed to death. But now, thanks to camera phones and the internets, Angelenos will be able to send cellphone camera pics of themselves bleeding to death directly to the 9-1-1 operator. A motion introduced by Councilman Eric Garcetti (CD13) proposes to implement technology developed by PowerPhone, Inc. that would allow victims/witnesses/brazen criminals to send cell phone pics directly to the 9-1-1 operator. Via the motion:
PowerPhone, Inc. describes the program as follows: 1) The caller dials 9-1-1 to report an incident and indicates they have a picture to send to assist emergency personnel; 2) The 9-1-1 emergency responder sends a text message to the caller's cell phone requesting the photo; and 3) The caller replies to the message with the photo attached... The Image can also be forwarded to emergency responders who are on their way to the scene. The Motion instructs LAPD and LAFD to implement the photo sharing software program, with the goal of providing better service to the community. We hope to God they start a flickr group for these pics.
· Motion - Council File 07-1027 [City of LA]