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| (Image Source: Cebu Daily News - INQUIRER.net/Facebook/Bureau of Fire Protection Region VII - Cebu City Fire Station) |
Cebu City, one of the largest cities in the Philippines, is now the first city outside of Luzon equipped to revolutionize its Public Safety with advanced 911 emergency response technology, positioning itself as one of the leaders in emergency management innovations. The Cebu City Government led by Acting Mayor Raymond Alvin Neri Garcia launched its next generation advanced emergency response system last September 30, 2024 in the presence of Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Undersecretary Lord Villanueva, E911 National Office Executive Director Francis Fajardo and city officials at the Community Hall, Executive Bldg., Cebu City Hall, MC Briones St., Sto. Niño, Cebu City, Cebu.
Earlier this year the city government partnered with NGA 911 Philippines, the local subsidiary of NGA 911, LLC headquartered in California, USA, to have the first comprehensive, integrable emergency response system in this part of the country. NGA 911 is known globally as the innovator of emergency calling technology and the leader in Next Generation 911 (NG911) emergency communications worldwide. Built on industry standards adopted by the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) in the United States and the European Emergency Number Association (EENA), the NGA 911 system and technology will revolutionize the way and speed with which Cebu City can handle emergencies. Cebu City’s new Next-Gen 911 command center’s cutting edge Call Handling technology can now help provide quick and accurate caller location data to pinpoint emergency callers’ location within a small search radius of 18 feet at 90% accuracy. The system also enables GPS of emergency responders so dispatch to the scene is almost simultaneous, ensuring quick arrival on scene and instilling confidence among residents. The NGA 911 technology is now fully recorded with conference and transfer facilities seamlessly integrated to address the usual limitations of traditional emergency hotlines. Slow response time, no caller location information and difficulty in handling large-scale emergencies with the help of GPS, GIS and advanced call routing is now a thing of the past for Cebu City constituents.
Last August, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos exhorted all local government units (LGUs) nationwide to set up their own emergency response centers equipped with the latest technology so they can respond swiftly and accurately to emergencies, save lives and property and deliver quality public service. Mayor Mike Rama and Acting Mayor Alvin Garcia expressed a shared vision for Cebu City, “a safe and secured city", saying, "Recognizing the critical role that emergency response plays in achieving this goal, we prioritized the implementation of advanced best in class 911 technology. This initiative enhances the city’s resilience to natural disasters, it will help lessen crime and other emergencies to foster a more secure environment for our people.” Cebu City’s NGA 911 command center will also be able to respond to emergency cases beyond the city limits. “While the primary focus will be on serving the residents of Cebu City, the system’s capabilities and the city’s commitment to regional cooperation will allow for assistance to nearby cities and towns in Cebu province. Other LGUs in Cebu should explore adopting NGA 911. LGUs can significantly enhance their emergency response capabilities, leading to faster response times, improved coordination, and greater public safety. The benefits of a world-class emergency response system extend beyond individual LGUs, as it can contribute to the overall security and resilience of the entire province,” said Acting Mayor Garcia.
NGA 911 Philippines Country Head Rob Llaguno thanked the current administration, through DILG Secretary Abalos and E911NO Executive Director Fajardo, that 911 is now an integral part of public safety for all Local Government Units, saying, “We’re a proud partner of Cebu City, bringing in Next Generation 911 technology of the United States to our country. This project marks the beginning of enhanced public safety for Cebuanos, initiated by the Cebu City government. Our unique emergency location services features, coupled with our integrated IoT capabilities, provides the CDRRMO (Cebu Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office) exceptional situational awareness data that will save lives."
