An iPhone update lets users share live video during emergency calls

CINCINNATI (WXIX) – The iPhone smartphone could allow callers to share live video during emergency calls.

Andrew Knapp, communications director for the Hamilton County 911 Center, said the live video is part of the iOS 18 update that Apple is scheduled to release this fall.

The center is adopting new technologies. It uses AI to evaluate how calls are handled.

“Are we at a point where we're going to hand over our emergency calls to AI? Absolutely not,” Knapp said. “There's a lot to be said for the human ear, which needs to hear what's going on and verify the location. There's another tool coming to market in the fall. It gives iPhone users the ability to share live video with dispatchers when they make an emergency call.”

Tim Perry, head of strategy at Prepared, said this is an extension of Prepared's technology, which was developed in collaboration with Apple.

“If you can live stream, a picture is worth a thousand words,” Perry said. “A video is worth a million words.”

Perry said 1,000 911 call centers use the company's live streaming technology. The Hamilton County call center has no plans to use the technology this fall, but may do so in the future.

“We would love to be able to add another tool to our toolbox. Then, when we evaluate it, we can see that it would work well for us and be useful,” Knapp said.

First responders believe the live streaming technology could be useful in responding to emergency calls. Shane Packer, assistant fire chief of the Colerain Fire Department, said it brings many benefits.

“I think additional assets would help us locate incidents and victims,” ​​Packer said. “Maybe there's someone out there scanning the trails, maybe there's someone kayaking on the river.”

Knapp said, however, the technology also raises concerns.

“We hear what people are reporting, but we've never seen anything like this,” Knapp said. “I'm seriously concerned about the mental health and mental well-being of our people who work in the 911 industry.”

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