“911” Definitions

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  • As used in this subchapter, unless the context otherwise requires:
    • (a) “911 Service” means the telecommunication system which provides the user of the public telephone system the ability to reach a public safety answering point by dialing the digits, “9-1-1”.

    • (b) “Public agency” means the Government of the Virgin Islands and any agency, department, or unit thereof or special purpose district located in whole or in part within the Virgin Islands which provides or has authority to provide ambulance, firefighting, law enforcement, medical or other emergency services.

    • (c) “Public safety agency” means a functional division of a public agency which provides ambulance, firefighting, law enforcement, medical or other emergency services.

    • (d) “Private safety entity” means a private entity which provides ambulance, firefighting, law enforcement, medical or other emergency services.

    • (e) “Public safety answering point (PSAP)” means a communication facility operated on a 24-hour basis, assigned responsibility to receive 911 calls and, as appropriate, to directly dispatch emergency response services, or to transfer or relay emergency 911 calls to other public service agencies. It is the first point of reception by a public safety agency of a 911 call, and serves the jurisdiction in which it is located and other participating jurisdictions according to a specified operational policy.

    • (f) “Direct dispatch method” means the method of responding to a telephone request for emergency service whereby the PSAP decides on the proper action to be taken and dispatches the appropriate emergency service unit.

    • (g) “Relay method” means the method of responding to a telephone request for emergency service whereby a PSAP notes pertinent information and relays it to the appropriate public safety agency or other provider of emergency service for dispatch of an emergency service unit.

    • (h) “Transfer method” means the method of responding to a telephone request for emergency service whereby a PSAP transfers the call directly to the appropriate public safety agency or other provider of emergency service for dispatch of an emergency service unit.

    • (i) “VITEMA” means the Virgin Islands Territorial Emergency Management Agency established by this chapter. VITEMA is responsible for the administration of 911 service in the Virgin Islands.

    • (j) “Automatic number identification (ANI)” means the system capability to identify the telephone number associated with the access line from which a call originates and provide a display of that number at a PSAP.

    • (k) “Automatic location identification (ALI)” means the automatic display at the PSAP of the caller's telephone number, the address/location of the telephone and supplementary emergency services information of the location from which a call originates.


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