By Mike Leidemann
Advertiser Staff Writer

Honolulu Police Lt. Charles Chong knows firsthand how an enhanced 911 network for wireless phone users might help the state. And it has nothing to do with his job as the administrator of the existing 911 system on O'ahu.

In dramatic testimony yesterday, Chong told state House members how the new phone system, under consideration at the state Legislature this year, would have helped him when he was hit by a car while riding a bicycle in Hawai'i Kai last week.

"As I was on the ground, I knew I should call 911, but I couldn't," he said. "First off, even though I ride in the area every day, I wasn't sure where I was. And since I had bitten my tongue in the accident, I couldn't speak anyway."

Chong said he was out on his regular bicycle route when a car struck him head on. He flew up on to the hood, hit the rear of his head on the pavement, then bounced again, this time hitting the ground face first.

"I was lucky to be alive," he said, showing lawmakers his black bicycle helmet that was bashed in on one side and cracked on the other.

Chong said he was lucky that others in the area were quickly able to summon help using their cell phones. From his position on the ground, he watched as one person walked to the nearest intersection to read signs telling 911 operators where to dispatch emergency services.

Others haven't been so lucky and that's the point of allowing wireless phone users to use the E911 system that helps operators pinpoint the location of a caller without having to ask questions, he said. Right now, operators can't do that with wireless phone users, he said.

The state Legislature this year is considering a bill (HB 2883) that would establish a monthly 66-cent surcharge on mobile-phone connections to pay for expansion of the E911 system to wireless users. The bill also would create a board to oversee the use of the money collected. About 40 states already have similar funds and boards to improve emergency services for wireless users.

Honolulu Police Maj. Kenneth Simmons, head of the communications division, said expanding the city's E911 system to wireless cell-phone users would be invaluable in quickly identifying and finding calls from people who are incapacitated or who do not know where they are.

"Vital seconds and minutes can be saved in life-threatening incidents by applying the full abilities of the E911 system to cellular telephones," he said.

But he noted that the technology to provide that service is expensive. "A surcharge would provide the needed funding to provide the best time-saving technologies to this ever-changing field," he said.

Three cellular-phone companies supported the surcharge in testimony before the committee yesterday, but it was really the testimony of Chong that helped convince lawmakers to pass the bill and send it on to the next committee.

"Now, that's how you lobby for a bill," one approving professional lobbyist said as Chong headed out of the hearing room, still clutching the helmet that saved his life.

Speaking of phones, Gov. Linda Lingle announced yesterday that the state will soon begin installing new roadside emergency phones on O'ahu.

Lingle yesterday released $325,000 for the phones, which will be installed along H-1 Freeway, from Halawa to Kahala; Moanalua Freeway; and Kamehameha Highway, from Weed Circle to Kamananui Road.

The phones will be used to request emergency police, fire and medical service, as well as roadside assistance. All 80 phones are expected to be operational by March 2005.

State officials said they also plan to begin installing a line for two emergency phones between Makaha and Ka'ena Point next month, an area where there is no pay phone or cellular service.

One phone will be at the guard shack at Yokohama Beach and the other outside the gate to Makua Military Reservation. Those phones will be operational by May, Lingle said.

Reach Mike Leidemann at mleidemann@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-5460.