Best Location Co-Ord Format for SAR/SMR??

More good info.
Thanks, Rusty, for posing the question to an Incident Commander.

It appears that it may be a while before there are clear standardized policies regarding these two matters (position coordinate format and map datums).

Nonetheless, understanding the situation seems to me to be a huge benefit to the backcountry user.

You guys in the thick of it have been a huge help in opening my eyes on how aware I need to be of the potential for error, given the current seemingly stunted level of standardization and also how very important it will be to make sure the communication goes well. The fact that the 911 calls are recorded is a great reminder as we can at least know there is a good chance for rescuers to get accurate info if we can deliver what you need in that initial call.

It seems likely that there will eventually be more standardization between agencies. It would be helpful, as well as very much appreciated, if those of you in the know would keep us apprised as more standardization of these two topics appears amongst the affected agencies.

Thanks, again.

Also give 911 your cellphone number, and who the provider cellphone provider is. This facilitates getting a GPS location from the cellphone provider. GPS from some cellphone, or position based on towers, receiving your signal"

This brings me to another minor dilemma: Knowing that any phone, regardless of whether or not it is subscribed to a carrier, can make a 911 call and all carriers are required to route them appropriately, rather than hauling my larger smartphone into the backcountry and worrying about getting it wet or losing it I just bring one of my earlier (now unsubscribed) smaller flip-phones for which I also have extra batteries. I just leave the (now) unsubscribed phone in my pack.

Since there is no phone # assigned to an unsubscribed phone, it now occurs to me there's no number to leave with 911 for a callback from first responders. That's a stumbling block I hadn't considered. Maybe (again) I’m not as smart as I thought I was :

So now the other question that comes to mind is will the carrier that receives the (unsubscribed cell) 911 call still be able to get and deliver position info on that phone?

The 911 centers need what is called "Enhanced 911" capabilities to be able to receive coordinate information along with your distress info.  Sadly, due to budget cutbacks and cost many rural localities do not have the ability yet and may not for awhile. 

One thing to consider is when you make a distress call from a cell phone,  the signal routing may put you in another counties 911 call center.   :-[