Satellite Tech Plays Larger Role for Emergency Crews

First responders use GPS, other tech to find victims

By Laila Weir, Newser User

Posted May 20, 2008 5:19 PM CDT

(Newser) – Emergency workers are increasingly turning to global-positioning and vehicle-tracking systems to find their way to victims and dispatch crews more efficiently, USA Today reports. "Clearly, we're in a business where seconds count," an Arizona fire official said. "If you're using GPS or automatic vehicle locator, it's a tremendous life savings you can't put a value on."

About 25% of US ambulances, 15% of fire vehicles, and 10% of police cars use automatic vehicle location systems that allow workers to dispatch vehicles faster and better. Finding funds remains an issue, but cities such as Washington are moving, spurred by incidents like one in which a man died after crews mixed up G Street and G Place.

A TomTom GPS device is displayed in a Best Buy store Tuesday, April 8, 2008, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Douglas C. Pizac)

Garmin International provided this photo of the Garmin nuvi 760 GPS device. (AP Photo/Garmin International)

A Los Angeles City Fire Department ambulance transporting Britney Spears arrives at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center to an awaiting throng of news media and paparazzi in Los Angeles on Friday, Jan. 4, 2008.... (AP Photo/Dan Steinberg)

Firefighters and paramedics take away an injured woman from the scene of an apparent gas explosion at a hair salon in Waukegan, Ill., Feb. 28, 2008. (AP Photo)

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Satellite Tech Plays Larger Role for Emergency Crews

First responders use GPS, other tech to find victims

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Supreme Court Bans Warrantless GPS Tracking

Obama administration had argued that tracking cars didn't constitute a search

China Debuts GPS Alternative

System would help it in military conflict with US

General: White House Pressed Me to Alter Testimony

...On a matter involving Democrat donor

Solar Storm to Hit Earth This Week

Could impact communications, GPS

New Garmin GPS Voices: Yoda, Vader

'Star Wars' sound effects, music included too

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Satellite Tech Plays Larger Role for Emergency Crews

First responders use GPS, other tech to find victims

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

GPS • emergency responders • satellite navigation

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

Supreme Court Bans Warrantless GPS Tracking

Obama administration had argued that tracking cars didn't constitute a search

China Debuts GPS Alternative

System would help it in military conflict with US

General: White House Pressed Me to Alter Testimony

...On a matter involving Democrat donor

Solar Storm to Hit Earth This Week

Could impact communications, GPS

New Garmin GPS Voices: Yoda, Vader

'Star Wars' sound effects, music included too

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

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More News

What is Newser?