Wait Times Drop For California 911 Cellular Calls

SACRAMENTO (AP) -- Wait times are dropping and more Californians placing 911 cellular telephone calls are getting through to operators.

The state Public Safety Communications Division says only 5 percent of cell phone emergency calls haven't reached 911 operators this year, which compares to 42 percent of 911 wireless calls placed three years ago.

KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:

And the Los Angeles Times says the California Highway Patrol, which gets the most cell phone 911 calls, has significantly reduced caller wait times.

Callers often had to wait several minutes to reach an operator, commonly a CHP dispatcher who had to transfer calls to a local police or fire agency. Local dispatch centers now take 60 percent of cell phone calls directly.

About 17 million wireless 911 calls were placed last year in California, a 28 percent increase from 2007.

In:
• California Highway Patrol