Iowa

• Type of program: 911 or general emergency.
• Program name: Cellular 911.
• Program housed: All 99 Iowa county dispatch centers—local, county, and State.
• Program began: 911 has been in place for many years.
• Reason for initiation: The program was initiated to replace *55.
• How does the program operate: Cell phone callers are advised to call 911 through signs on patrol cars, highway signs, and public service announcements.
• Phone number used: 911.
• How is program announced or promoted: TV or radio, newspapers, highway signs or billboards, and patrol cars.
• Is funding required: Yes, for publicity, dispatchers, equipment upgrade costs/other maintenance, and for phase 2 and GPS cell phone positioning.
• Has any evaluation been conducted: Unknown.
• Some problems with program: Incomplete information from callers; too few patrol officers to attend to the calls; length of time necessary to locate the suspect’s vehicle.
• Additional information: Cell phone companies will be utilizing the enhanced 911 feature with new cell phones beginning January 2006. They will pinpoint exactly where the caller is located.
• Contact information:

                        Steve Ray, Lead Communications Specialist
                        State Radio Communications
                        515-323-4375.

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