Public safety answering point (PSAP)

A public-safety answering point (PSAP), sometimes called a public-safety access point, is a call center where emergency calls (like police, fire brigade, ambulance) are terminated. These call centers in almost all countries, including Canada and the United States, are staffed with trained telephone operators responsible for dispatching these emergency services.

Key Features of a PSAP:

1. Emergency Call Handling:

   • PSAPs receive calls made to emergency numbers like 911 in the U.S. or 112 in many other countries.

2. Call Triage:

   • Operators assess the nature of the emergency and determine the appropriate response (e.g., dispatching emergency services).

3. Location Determination:

   • Modern PSAPs often use Automatic Location Identification (ALI) and Automatic Number Identification (ANI) to pinpoint the caller's location, especially for mobile and VoIP calls.

4. Integration with Public Safety Systems:

   • PSAPs interface with Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) systems to manage and route emergency responses.