911 block? 1

[johnpoole]

a topic that came up in the nortel forum, it's easy to block 911 or 9.911 from sets. but is it going to lead to law suits? we have 100's of stations that are internal only, and 1000's that will only allow 9 plus with an auth code. the lawyer staff here says we are not forced to provide any phones, period. if we have to allow free local, then take the courtsey phones out..

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[jneiberger]

I think the recent rulings regarding provider-based VoIP services should be a clue about the way the winds are blowing. If a phone is available, people expect to be able to get to 911 from it, particularly if it's a phone accessible to the public.

However, if you have some phones that are strictly internal and this is common knowledge, and if they are not publicly accessible, then I don't see why there would be a reasonable expectation of 911 services from those phones.

Are you providing other phones in these internal areas that can reach 911?

 

[skip555]

i would allow 911 as a system speed dial and then post instructions on each phone as to how to dial it.

taking leagal liablity out of the picture isnt there a moral responsiblity to make calling for emergency help accesable

 

[mitelman]

What we do in our office is require a letter from the customer requesting the removal(usally 911 not 9,911) and in the same letter releasing our company from liability. Not sure how bullet proof it is though...

 

[johnpoole]

yes i've had the liabiliy letter signed, my site is a hospital, er help is code page, dial 0, she gets code blue stat. just curious as to the way it's handled else where

john poole
bellsouth business
columbia,sc

 

[mrdenny]

I'd have to agree. Ignoring the legal liability if someone needs to dial 911 and thier is a phone there but it can't get to 911 odds are someone is going to die. There is probably some sort of life threating emergency and that person needs help.

When ever I see a phone in the US I always assume that if I pick it up and dial 911 or 9.911 I'll get the help that is needed.

At some point we need to stop trying to shield our selves and do the right thing.

Denny
MCSA (2003) / MCDBA (SQL 2000)

--Anything is possible. All it takes is a little research. (Me)

http://www.mrdenny.com

(Not quite so old any more.)