The purpose of this survey was to gather specific information from Iowans about their opinions on how cell phones work within the E911 Systems.

 

An effort was made to provide the survey to all PSAPS in Iowa, in addition Emergency Managers, attendees at the fall APCO/E911 Conference, and participants of several internet list serves were provided the survey information, and asked to assist, or to facilitate its completion. Each county was asked to gather 50 responses. This would generate approximately a total 5,000 responses. It is accurate to say all 99 counties were provided the opportunity to participate. The method for gathering the data was left up to each individual entity. We are aware that the results are a compilation of direct contact, phone surveys, surveys made in grocery stores, malls and at county or regional meetings.

 

The original submissions are available for independent review and validation. Information obtained including names, phone numbers, and specific locations were gathered to provide interested parties the opportunity to validate the responses. The originals can be obtained by contacting:

 

Bob Seivert, President

                       Iowa APCO

                       612 Court St.

                       Harlan, IA 51537

    

                       bseivert@shco.org

 

 

Every attempt has been made to provide an accurate accounting of the participants responses.  The conclusion of the results and how it impacts the provision of wireless 911 are those of the author. They do not reflect specifically the E911 Council or IOWA APCO’s interpretation of the results. Each agency and each reader can infer their own conclusions from the information gathered.

 

 

 

Bob Seivert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Surveys Returned:  52

 

This represents 52 entities, some counties submitted surveys from more than one agency in that county. A good variety of rural and urban areas responded. Not all people responded to all questions.

 

 

 

 

1.  Do you own a cell phone?      2,134 (yes)    380 (no)

 

It has been said that approx 1/3 of Iowans own cell phones. This can be verified by the amount of wireless surcharge collected. It can therefore be expected that a random sampling of Iowans should generate a response of approx 33%

 

2,134  of the  2,514  respondents  reported  owning a cell   phone.

This represents 84.9%. Some surveys were returned showing all of those surveyed owned cell phones.

 

Conclusion:

 

The number of cell phones is likely higher than 33%, although it is not near the survey total of 84.9%. The number of respondents should therefore be more indicative of people who actually own cell phones.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

      

            

 

 

                         % of Iowans surveyed who own cell phones

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Page  1 of 6

 

 

2.  Was personal safety a consideration when you purchased your cell phone?     1,787 (yes)    352 (no)

 

It is a selling point for cell phone companies and it is often stated by E911 administrators that the majority of cell phones are being purchased for “safety” reasons.

 

1,787  of the  2,139  people who own a cell phone purchased it with some type of personal safety in mind. This represents 83.5%

 

 

 

Conclusion:

 

A significant number of people who use cell phones and purchase cell phones do so to increase their access to public safety services(911).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                    % of Iowans who use cell phones for personal safety

 

 

 

 

 

Page 2 of 6

 

 

3.  If you have to dial 911 to report an emergency with your cell phone do you think the dispatcher  knows your location?           502 (yes)                1,630 (no)

 

Commonly stated, is that most people think, when using their cell phones, and calling 911 the dispatcher does know their location and that most people do not recognize the difference between landline and wireless E911 services.

 

This is a surprising survey result. Only 502 of 2,132 people 23.5% expected the 911 dispatcher to know  the location  from which they are calling.

 

Conclusion:

 

Efforts by cell phone providers, APCO, NENA, Iowa E911 Council, and local 911 Boards to educate the public on the lack of location being provided by cell phones, as comparable to landline traditional telephone service providers,  is successful. The results further illustrate that the survey participants are well informed and knowledgeable of the capability of cell phones as they relate to the use of 911.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

             

 

 

                

 

 

 

                   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                   % of Iowans who know that cell phones do not show location

 

 

 

 

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4.  Would you be willing to pay an additional 50 cents per month on your cell phone bill to have your location displayed when you call 911?    1,823 (yes)   310 (no)

 

The question is significant in the face of deepening state and local budget crisis. Any tax increase, whether it is sold as user fees or a special user charge, is not a popular proposal. It increases the cost of cell phone users’ monthly bills. It is not a popular topic among legislators or taxpayers. It is often stated, now is not the time to be asking for this or any other type of tax or fee increase.

 

Overwhelmingly, 1,823 of the 2,133 people who own cell phones indicated that 50 cents is not too much to pay, this represents 85.5%

 

Conclusion:

 

As many issues ultimately do, the cell phone E911 issue boils down to money. This is a definitive answer for decision makers that  Iowans are willing to pay to have 911 dispatchers know their location when using 911 to report an emergency with a cell phone. This question bears even more significance when compared to the number of Iowans (76%) who know their cell phones do not now provide 911 dispatchers with their location.  It lends credibility to the fact the survey is representative of Iowans educated on the issue.

 

 

 

 

 

     

                             No

 

 

 

 

                                   Yes

 

 

 

 

                     % of Iowans willing to pay extra so 911 knows their location.

 

 

 

 

 

Page 4 of 6

 

 

Age of Respondents:

 

 

 

Primary Occupation:

 

An attempt was made to survey a wide variety of Iowans. We did not attempt to survey only people who are involved in public safety fields. Participants were asked their occupation, and the survey results reflect such a wide variety that inclusion in a meaningful form here is challenging. The occupations are  available for review, if you would like to interpret them independently.

 

 

Overall Conclusion

 

Iowans are knowledgeable about how 911 is different with wireless phones than with landline phones. They recognize the need for 911 centers to know where they are when they call 911. Iowans know there is a cost, and support paying an additional 50 cents per month per cell phone. It is, in every aspect, an inexpensive insurance which can save lives and protect property.

 

 

 

 

 

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Shelby Co                           List of Survey Contributors

Pottawattamie Co

Dubuque Co

Poweshiek Co

Mitchell Co

Iowa Co

Guthrie CO

Clinton CO

Story CO

Lee CO

Indianola

Ottumwa

Webster Co

Appanoose CO

Shenandoah

Pocahontas Co

Johnson co

Howard Co

Cerro Gordo Co

Henry Co

Scott Co

Buchanan Co

Freemont Co

Maquoketa

Muscatine

Cedar CO

Sheldon

Boone Co

Palo Alto Co

Forest City

Ft. Madison

Allamakee CO

ISAC Fall Conference participants

Mason City

Obrien Co

Fayette Co

Washington Co

Monroe Co

Carroll Co

Montgomery Co

Keokuk

Mills Co

Jones Co

Charles City

Hardin Co

Dallas Co

Delaware Co

Kossuth Co

Black Hawk Co

Ringgold Co                                                Page 6 of 6