In the handling of 112 emergency calls, caller location is a critically important factor. EU Directive 2018/1972 required Member States to define criteria to ensure location accuracy.
EENA – European Emergency Number Association, in turn, recommended that horizontal accuracy should be below 50 meters for at least 80% of calls. Over the years, several technologies have been developed to automatically obtain the caller’s location without the need to question them. All currently available techniques (AML – Advanced Mobile Location, official emergency apps, and cell tower triangulation) have limitations: AML remains active for no more than 15 minutes (if the caller is moving, the position may be lost); apps must be downloaded and activated; and cell tower triangulation can be highly inaccurate, especially in rural areas. In this context, a possible solution is DinamiCall, a software that enables caller location through a link sent to the user via message.
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The 112 control room (PSAP 1) has two main responsibilities: locating the caller and performing an initial screening to identify the appropriate second-level control room (PSAP 2). Caller location is therefore a core function of 112 services. Over the years, legislators, telecom operators and smartphone manufacturers have invested heavily in defining rules and developing technologies to improve location capabilities. The goals are threefold: increase accuracy, speed up operations and simplify user interaction. In this context, DinamiCall provides a highly effective response and overcomes many limitations of existing solutions.
Caller location in emergency situations presents different limitations depending on the technology used. AML (Advanced Mobile Location) has the advantage of automatically providing the caller’s position (through the smartphone’s operating system) and offers high accuracy (thanks to GPS, Wi-Fi and device data). However, it also has some weaknesses:
Device compatibility. Some smartphones in Europe still do not support AML, particularly those sold before the system became mandatory in 2022.
Signal availability. In indoor environments, underground locations or areas with poor satellite coverage, accuracy may significantly decrease and location transmission may fail.
Session duration. If the call is prolonged, AML may automatically deactivate. The session duration is defined by official regulations and is limited to 15 minutes. If the call lasts longer and the caller is moving, the actual position may be lost.
Official emergency apps, such as the Italian Where ARE U, provide highly accurate and continuously updated location data and are not limited by session duration. However, they only work if the user has installed the app and actively uses it during an emergency. This aspect is far from negligible, especially considering the emotional stress experienced in such situations. Cell tower triangulation, on the other hand, has the advantage of working with any mobile phone, but it may be less accurate, as it relies on the position of network cells. In urban areas, the margin of error can be several hundred meters, while in rural areas it may reach several kilometers. DinamiCall overcomes these limitations by offering a solution that does not replace, but rather complements, traditional emergency location technologies.
DinamiCall is a software solution integrated with the Control Room’s CAD (Computer Aided Dispatch) system and is activated through a deliberate operator action. It is natively integrated with Beta 80’s Life 1st platform but can also be deployed as a standalone solution and integrated with other CAD systems on the market. As part of the control room software, DinamiCall is directly available within the CAD interface as one of its built-in functionalities. This means the operator does not need to open any additional applications, it is fully embedded in the standard workflow. When the control room operator answers a call (whether from an app or a direct call), a simple sequence of actions is triggered, which can be carried out under any conditions:
The operator asks the caller for consent to activate the DinamiCall channel;
Once consent is given, the operator sends an SMS containing a link;
The caller clicks the link, the channel is opened, and GPS coordinates are automatically transmitted to the Control Room.
From that moment on, the caller’s location is accurately determined via the phone’s GPS. DinamiCall remains active for the entire duration of the call, regardless of how long it lasts, and the position is continuously updated. The process follows a push model: all actions are guided by the operator, and the caller only needs to follow simple instructions. Emergency calls occur in situations of high emotional stress, where cognitive and decision-making abilities are reduced. The more complex the required actions, the higher the risk of error. Tasks that are simple under normal conditions can become difficult under stress. For this reason, it is essential that callers are guided step by step, receiving clear and simple instructions. This is exactly what DinamiCall enables.
Once the 112 operator has located the caller, the call is transferred to PSAP 2, which receives the exact location. This allows, for example, dispatching an ambulance precisely where needed. If PSAP 2 also uses DinamiCall, additional services can be activated:
Video call: switching from voice to video to improve situational awareness;
Chat: enabling communication when the caller cannot speak (e.g. impaired users, threats, temporary limitations);
Call recording: full recording of the interaction for follow-up and analysis;
Multimedia sharing: real-time exchange of photos, videos and documents to improve understanding and response effectiveness.
While these features go beyond location, they significantly enhance the overall emergency management process, from the initial call to on-site intervention. Caller location is vital in 112 emergency management: without knowing where the person is, rescue cannot take place. Today, multiple technologies are available, from traditional methods like cell tower triangulation to more advanced solutions such as AML and emergency apps. DinamiCall complements these tools by providing GPS-based location via a simple SMS link integrated into the CAD system. This multi-layered approach increases the likelihood of obtaining accurate location data. Different tools can be combined and compared to improve precision. Each solution also provides additional capabilities. For example, when using apps like Where ARE U, control rooms receive pre-registered personal data automatically. DinamiCall, in addition to highly accurate location, enables chat, video calls and multimedia exchange, enhancing overall emergency response effectiveness and ultimately contributing to saving lives.