LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A new video service will allow 911 call takers in Louisville to see the surroundings of those with an emergency.
Louisville Metro Emergency Services leaders made the announcement Wednesday morning.
Once you report an emergency through 911, you'll get a text from emergency services asking for your permission to turn your camera on.
You'll approve it through a link in your text messages.
Once it's approved, 911 call takers will be able to see your surroundings through your phone camera.
That way, they don't have to ask as many questions and first responders will be more prepared when they respond.
"It's a big day, it's a good day, we've been testing this again for about 30 days, but it's proven to be a success so we're excited about it and it's just another tool in the toolbox to enhance the safety of our responders that are out in the field," said Jody Meiman, the executive director of Louisville Metro Emergency Management.
The new technology has already been used on some scenes like fires.
Devin Lovan, a 911 call taker, has used it a few times. One situation came when a woman who was from out of town's car broke down and she didn't know where she was.
"She showed me where she was, showed me her surroundings, come to find out she was by hospital curve downtown, I was able to see Louisville Slugger Field and the hospitals that kind of helped me find her," Lovan said.
It could also help when a person can't talk on the phone.
"An active shooter incident, a domestic violence incident, where they're not able to talk, give their location up or because of the situation they're in not be able to communicate with a 911 call taker, where this is going to help," Meiman said.
The videos will be recorded just like all 911 calls are recorded. Eventually the live video link will be shared with first responders directly as the technology improves.
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