jorcus
TUG Member
It has been posted in a few threads about unplugging your room phone in order to keep those pesky time share operators from calling. I have recommended against this when I have seen this posted because in an emergency you have to plug the phone back in (if you or anyone else remembers to do it), before you can use it. Before my fairly recent retirement I worked on commercial phone and internet systems. I worked on many hospitality systems for hotels and resorts so I thought I would share some insights to the benefits of using the system and possible drawbacks to calling 911.
In modern up to date hotel phone systems integrated with modern public service emergency call centers, you will be able to call 911 directly or by using the outside access code, normally an 8 or a 9 first. so 911 you get through or 8 + 911 you get through. It is now mandated by federal law in the United States that the phone system gets through either way. More on that later. With a good modern hospitality system your 911 call will do 2 things. It will alarm the front desk that a 911 call was made and what room it came from, and it will show you address and room number at the emergency dispatch center. That is a pretty big head start as opposed to using a cell phone to call 911. Geo location is much improved these days but trying to pinpoint it to a room on a campus or resort complex is questionable. 9 times out of 10 emergency responders are going to the front desk first to ask for location info that they do not have if you used a cell phone.
The other advantage is if you can not speak or are trying not to speak the resort and emergency has your exact location. That is one of the reasons I still keep a cheap voice over ip powered landline in my house.
As many laws are being able to call 911 using just 911 or the access code + 911 was inspired by a real life tragedy. You can read the FCC law here.
www.fcc.gov
Older independent hotels may not have the 911 vs access code + 911 updated. Be aware of this and show your children how to do it while keeping them aware it is for emergencies only.
I recommend using the do not disturb feature on the phone to avoid calls. Some phones have a button some have a code. If you can not find it ask at the front desk. This will not stop you from making an outgoing call.
I hope this helps.
In modern up to date hotel phone systems integrated with modern public service emergency call centers, you will be able to call 911 directly or by using the outside access code, normally an 8 or a 9 first. so 911 you get through or 8 + 911 you get through. It is now mandated by federal law in the United States that the phone system gets through either way. More on that later. With a good modern hospitality system your 911 call will do 2 things. It will alarm the front desk that a 911 call was made and what room it came from, and it will show you address and room number at the emergency dispatch center. That is a pretty big head start as opposed to using a cell phone to call 911. Geo location is much improved these days but trying to pinpoint it to a room on a campus or resort complex is questionable. 9 times out of 10 emergency responders are going to the front desk first to ask for location info that they do not have if you used a cell phone.
The other advantage is if you can not speak or are trying not to speak the resort and emergency has your exact location. That is one of the reasons I still keep a cheap voice over ip powered landline in my house.
As many laws are being able to call 911 using just 911 or the access code + 911 was inspired by a real life tragedy. You can read the FCC law here.
Multi-line Telephone Systems – Kari’s Law and RAY BAUM’S Act 911 Direct Dialing, Notification, and Dispatchable Location Requirements
In August 2019, the Commission adopted rules implementing two federal laws that strengthen emergency calling: Kari’s Law and Section 506 of RAY BAUM’S Act.
Older independent hotels may not have the 911 vs access code + 911 updated. Be aware of this and show your children how to do it while keeping them aware it is for emergencies only.
I recommend using the do not disturb feature on the phone to avoid calls. Some phones have a button some have a code. If you can not find it ask at the front desk. This will not stop you from making an outgoing call.
I hope this helps.