It’s important for callers to provide accurate location information to emergency dispatchers to help ensure fast and effective assistance. Dispatchers are responsible for alerting and directing emergency responders, so accuracy and detail could make a marked difference in response time. Awareness of your surroundings not only prepares you for emergency situations but also enhances overall safety.
Accurately communicating your location is critical during a 911 call. While MASA isn’t involved in your initial call, keeping tabs on your location can help MASA more efficiently provide services such as repatriation coverage, vehicle return coverage, and much more when the need arises.
But what about the Global Positioning System (GPS)?
GPS location tracking via cell phone can also be helpful in emergency situations. The most commonly used GPS tracking service used by 911 networks nationwide is Next Generation 911 (NG911). When a 911 call is made, the service provider for the phone relays the call to NG911 which processes the call and determines location. Then, NG911 routes the call to the appropriate public safety answering point (PSAP) based on the caller’s location using geographic information systems data.
While it may be tempting to assume you can always rely on your cell phone’s GPS to relay your location to emergency services with NG911, this technology is not yet available everywhere or on every device. Additionally, signal loss can hinder GPS accuracy, especially in rural areas or places with poor cellular reception. Whether GPS systems are available and operable or not, you’ll need to be able to share your location details effectively.
Insight from our MASA claims team
For 911 calls, MASA is not involved in the transportation coordination. However, MASA will be involved in transportation arrangements if a patient needs repatriation or hospital-to-hospital transport. In these cases, the hospital will make arrangements with MASA Transport Team — so patients can breathe easy and focus on getting better.
Sharing your location when calling 911
There are some steps you can take to be prepared to provide your location with accuracy when emergency dispatchers pick up your call.
Here’s how to help 911 dispatchers:
Stay calm and speak slowly
State your location first before providing any additional details about the help you need, so they can begin routing responders to you as quickly as possible. If you know any of the following information, you’ll want to include:
- The street address of your location, if you have it readily available. Including any room or apartment number if you’re in a larger building.
- Cross streets nearby, particularly if you don’t know your exact address.
- Indicate direction or direction of travel if you are moving, such as north, south, east, or west.
Use landmarks and waypoints
If you’re in a place that is hard to describe or in an open area like a park, identify prominent landmarks. Notable landmarks are large buildings, signs, or other landscape features that could help establish location. Phrases like “near the red brick school” or “across from the grocery store” can help responders quickly locate you. Or if you are inside a building, giving them details about which floor, room, stairwell, or hall you are in, can help. In urban settings or large venues like stadiums, hospitals, or malls, finding the right entrance or access point can be tricky. Many places have multiple entrances, and the name of the street may not always suffice. Knowing your precise location — like the nearest entrance or a specific landmark — can guide emergency responders directly to you, reducing response time.
Remember to ask others
If others are around you, ask them where they are. Someone else nearby may have more helpful information about your location.
Explain the situation
Once you’ve stated your location, provide situational details that will help responders. Report the type of emergency and the number of people who need assistance. Tell the operator what’s going on so they can coordinate the appropriate medical, fire, and/or law enforcement response.
Stay on the line
After providing your location and details, stay on the line until the operator tells you to hang up. They may need additional information or have specific instructions for you to follow while help is on the way. Dispatchers are trained to support you and help you keep calm during what may be a traumatic situation.
Accessing your MASA benefits when away from home
While we’re not involved in your initial 911 call, knowing and noting your location for later can help facilitate many MASA benefits and services when traveling, during or after an emergency. Our repatriation coverage ensures that if you are hospitalized while away from home, we’ll coordinate with your physician to get you transferred by ambulance to a medical facility near your home to recuperate around family and in familiar surroundings. We offer air transport return coverage for children or pets traveling with you, so they won’t be left unattended and can return home if you experience an emergency. And we even provide vehicle return coverage and services, so if you’re hospitalized and unable to bring your vehicle back home, you don’t have to worry about making sure it gets back there safely. Depending upon your plan and travel location, there are many more services are available to you as a MASA member. Before your next trip, review your plan benefits by logging into the member portal.
MASA claims FAQ
Q: How far do I have to travel before MASA transport coordination services are available?
A: Most transport coordination services are activated after only 100 miles from your home.
Enhancing your access to emergency care is critical
In emergencies, the ability to provide your location to 911 is vital. Knowing your surroundings, understanding how to communicate your location, and practicing this knowledge — whether at home, on the road, or in public spaces — could significantly impact the outcome of emergency situations. Emergency responders will know how to reach you, and you’ll have easier access to MASA benefits and services. Make it a habit to stay aware of your surroundings and ensure you can articulate your location clearly if the need ever arises.
Remember, at MASA we’re here for you with emergency medical transportation coverage, care services, and practical guides like this, so that you’re prepared whenever an emergency hits.
