[asterisk-users] Testing 911?

[Brian Swan]

I don't think it's a stupid question at all.  Testing 911 routing is  
very important, and it would suck to find out it didn't work when you  
needed it to.  When I tested 911 at my wife's small business (we're  
on ZAP channels), I first called the non-emergency number for our  
local police department.  Depending on the size of the city your in,  
they may tell you to call a different policy department where the 911  
center for your area is located.  I then called their non-emergency  
number and explained to them that we were installing a new phone  
system and needed to test 911 functionality.  They said "No problem,  
let me transfer you to the radio room", I assume when they transfered  
me I was then talking to one of the 911 supervisors or something.  I  
explained to them that I needed to make two test calls (one to 9,911  
and one to 911 as I have our system setup) in order to test 911  
functionality, and informed them that I would be calling back  
immediately after I hung up with them.   They said "Sure, no problem."

When you do the actual do the deed, identify who you are (full name),  
where you are calling from (business name, etc), and that this is a  
test call on a new phone system.  They will usually read back to you  
the address they have on file for your phone number, and possibly  
some other information.  If you are using a T1, PRI they will also  
verify some E-911 information you are sending (ANI?  Help me out here  
someone...)  Also, I think it's important that you close by telling  
them that you're done testing, or that you have one (or two, or X)  
more test calls to make.

I tried to test out as much as I could in advance, so that I was  
fairly certain I wouldn't have to call them more then twice -- even  
though they know it's a test call, they may still be a little "short"  
with you on call #2 since I'm sure they have plenty of real  
emergencies to deal with. :)  Along those same lines, use some  
judgement as to when you perform your testing.  For instance, testing  
during severe weather, or during a hurricane probably wouldn't be a  
good idea.  Along those same lines (and some what less obvious ;),  
you may NOT want to test on a Friday or Saturday night if it could be  
avoided.   I actually used 411 while I was doing the initial setting  
up and testing to make sure I got everything right, then when I was  
99.99% sure it would work, I switched the 4 to a 9 and tested it for  
real.

Hope that helps!
Swannie



On Jul 17, 2006, at 1:05 AM, voiplist wrote:

> It seems that 911 is important enough that when setting up an Asterisk
> box, it should be tested.
>
> How do you go about testing 911 dialing without getting fined for
> calling for a non-emergency reason?
>
> Is there some circumstances where you can ask permission from the city
> ahead of time?
>
> I realize this may be a real stupid question but I have not seen this
> discussed and I am curious.
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