System and method for handling emergency image messaging

1. A method for routing emergency image messages to a public safety answering point (PSAP), said method comprising:

receiving an emergency data message from a wireless communications device;

identifying that the emergency data message includes an image;

generating an emergency data type indicating that the emergency data message includes an image;

determining a location of the wireless communications device used to send the emergency data message;

communicating the emergency data type to an emergency data message router database to identify one or more PSAPs local to the wireless communications device based upon the determined location of the wireless communications device and determine at least one PSAP capable of receiving the emergency data message that includes an image; and

routing the emergency data message that includes an image to the at least one PSAP local to the wireless communications device and capable of receiving emergency data messages that includes an image.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying that the emergency data message includes an image includes identifying that the emergency message includes a photograph.

3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein identifying that the emergency data message includes an image includes identifying that the emergency data message includes a photograph attachment.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying that the emergency data message includes an image includes identifying that the emergency data message includes a video.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein identifying that the emergency data message includes an image includes identifying that the emergency data message includes streaming video.

6. The method according to claim 5 , further comprising establishing a bi-directional communications path between the at least one PSAP and the wireless communications device while maintaining the streaming video.

7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein establishing the bi-directional communications path includes establishing a voice communications path.

8. The method according to claim 6 , wherein establishing the bi-directional communications path includes establishing a data communications path.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one PSAP further comprises a PSAP that is local and closest to the wireless communications device and capable of receiving emergency data messages that include an image.

10. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one PSAP further comprises a PSAP selected based on a cell code, mobile directory number, and emergency data message type.

11. A system for routing an emergency data message to a public safety answering point (PSAP), said system comprising:

a memory;

an input/output (I/O) unit;

a processing unit in communication with said memory and I/O unit, and configured to:

receive the emergency data message from a wireless communications device;

identify that the emergency data message includes an image;

generate an emergency data type indicating that the emergency data message includes an image;

determine a location of the wireless communications device used to send the emergency data message;

communicate the emergency data type to an emergency data message router database to identify one or more PSAPs local to the wireless communications device based upon the determined location of the wireless communications device and determine at least one PSAP capable of receiving the emergency data message that includes an image; and

route the emergency data message that includes an image to the at least one PSAP local to the wireless communications device and capable of receiving emergency data messages that include an image.

12. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said processing unit is configured to identify that the emergency data message includes a photograph.

13. The system according to claim 12 , wherein said processing unit is configured to identifying that the emergency data message includes an image includes identifying that the emergency data message includes a photograph attachment.

14. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said processing unit is configured to identify that the emergency data message includes a video.

15. The system according to claim 13 , wherein said processing unit is further configured to identify that the emergency data message includes streaming video.

16. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said processing unit is further configured to establish a bi-directional communications path between the at least one PSAP and the wireless communications device while maintaining the streaming video.

17. The system according to claim 16 , wherein said processing unit, in establishing the bi-directional communications path is configured to establish a voice communications path.

18. The system according to claim 16 , wherein said processing unit, in establishing the bi-directional communications path is configured to establish a data communications path.

19. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said processing unit is further configured to select the at least one PSAP based upon a determination of the PSAP that is local and closest to the wireless communications device and capable of receiving emergency data messages that include an image.

20. The system according to claim 11 , wherein said processing unit is configured to select the at least one PSAP based upon the determined location of the wireless communications device and further based upon on a cell code, mobile directory number, and emergency data message type.