By Joe Segura Staff Writer joe.segura@presstelegram.com @JoeSeguraPT on Twitter, Press – Telegram (Long Beach California)

SEAL BEACH — The kitchen fire may have been small, but the recent incident in Old Town has sparked big concerns among city officials about the city’s 9-1-1 emergency system.

The person who called to report the blaze used a cell phone – and, because of transmitting cell phone tower signals, the call was routed elsewhere. Some cell calls to the local emergency line are being sent to other agencies such as Long Beach, the California Highway Patrol or the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

“Cell phones most often do not go directly to our Dispatch Center” warned Mayor Pro Tem Ellery A. Deaton in a newsletter this week to residents.

“Now that so many no longer have land line phones, it is very important to know that if you dial 911 from your cell phone you most likely will not be connected to our local Dispatch Center causing delays in service,” she added.

The Seal Beach Dispatch Center – also known as the West Comm Center – also serves the residents of neighboring Los Alamitos and Cypress. Cell phone users have different experiences, although some calls are diverted by the transmission towers, officials said Tuesday.

Deaton suggested that residents, in case of emergency, use a land line and dial 911, if possible. If it is not possible to use a land line, she advised calling the local dispatch center directly at 562- 594-7232.

Call s made on the seven-digit line, however, do not receive the same priority as 911 calls, city officials said.

“It’s not 100 percent reliable, and 911 is not perfect right now,” said City Manager Jill Ingram, also recommending that cell phone users program the seven-digit number into their phones.

In Los Alamitos, Police Chief Todd Mattern said the calls made in his city might be transmitted to Long Beach, instead of the West Comm Center, which will alert local emergency personnel.

The calls at the original dispatch center are promptly relayed to the local police or fire agency, Mattern said.

“It’s a matter of pushing a button,” the police chief said. “There’s no delay of significance. ”

In Cypress, Administrative Services Manager Andy Tse, said he’s not aware of cell phone problems in that community.

Steve Ditmars, interim administrator of West Comm, said people do expect to get their local emergency personnel, but added cell phone towers attenaes are directional.

“It depends on which tower the call registers on,” he said. “If they’re near a freeway or highway, the call could go to CHP. ”

However, he added, new GPS technology on smart phones gives dispatchers an idea where the caller is located. However, the correct dispatch agency is not always identified, he said.

“It’s an ongoing problem,” Ditmars said, adding that more technology advances are needed. 

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