States Lag in Cell Tracking for 911

Some states are lagging far behind in emergency response capabilities that would allow first responders to locate a caller via their cell phone, data suggests. Even worse, at least two states have practically no coverage at all.

As mobile phones become more ubiquitous, the need for dependable emergency service via those devices increases as well. About a third of emergency calls are made from cell phones these days, double the number made in 1995.

Data from the National Emergency Number Association indicate that one-third or less of eight states have the technology to pinpoint emergency calls. Pennsylvania leads that list with close to a third coverage, with the two worst states being neighboring Ohio with 4 percent coverage, and Oklahoma less than one percent.

Twelve states are completely covered by the technology, including Maryland and Delaware.

Pennsylvania is working toward fixing the problem. Cambria County, near the city of Pittsburgh in the western part of the state recently turned on the technology there, and nine other counties and the city of Allentown already have the service.

According to PEMA -- the state's FEMA equivalent -- implementation of the system is a priority and is expected to be finished within the next three to five years. To fund the rollout, the state has implemented a $1 surcharge on wireless service. That program has raised $120 million since July 2004.