Apple introduced the Emergency SOS via satellite feature with its current iPhone 14 lineup in 2022. Available in a select few markets, this feature helps users to contact emergency services when cellular signals aren’t available. The emergency feature has turned out to be helpful in several situations where users were stranded without a cellular connection. This feature has now reportedly saved an island from wildfire.
According to a report by SooToday, two iPhone users in Canada used the feature to contact emergency services during a wildfire as they had no cellular connectivity. As per the report, Warren Thibodeau and Orel Crack worked with local firefighter Craig Spooner to combat the forest fire.
They managed to circle the island and spray water on the fire until it was eventually extinguished. Later on, assistance from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry arrived at the spot. The report notes that the event was photographed and shared by Eric Belanger.
In a statement, Belanger said, “We were able to get assistance from the MNR by using the new GlobalStar emergency feature of the iPhone 14 while pulling up to the burning island. Marc G., a camper at Dog Lake Cottages and Campground, went back to check on the island the day after and MNRF were in the process of cleaning up.”
How Apple’s Emergency SOS via Satellite feature works
When activated, the feature shows on-screen prompts that direct users to aim their iPhones towards a nearby satellite to get a signal. Then, the feature collects data about the reported event and provides emergency responders with the user’s location.
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Due to limitations like slow data transfer speeds and poor connection quality, the feature attempts to keep communications streamlined. This feature is currently available only in select markets like — the US, the UK, Canada and a few other European countries. Moreover, only iPhone 14 users can access this feature which isn’t available for older iPhone models.
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