Text-to-911 is part of the Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1) project. It is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 emergency call takers (911 telecommunicators) from your mobile phone or device.
The new service will allow citizens who are
deaf, hard of hearing or those who are unable to speak or that may be in a situation where it is
unsafe for them to speak, a way to contact 9-1-1 to request emergency services
from police, fire or emergency medical services. The most important thing to
know is that texting provides very limited location information, so the
location and type of emergency needs to be sent in the first text to 911
telecommunicators.
“The public’s safety is a top priority for residents
and visitors in Virginia Beach. ECCS is committed to providing the most
technologically advanced 9-1-1 service available,” stated Athena Plummer,
former director of Emergency Communications and Citizens Services. “We are pleased to
be able to provide this service to those who may have physical limitations and
may not be able to call us.”
As part of a larger Next Generation 9-1-1 (NG9-1-1)
project, Virginia Beach is the first Southside Hampton Roads city to offer Text-to-9-1-1
service. They are joining their counterparts in James City County, York County and
Williamsburg in being able to receive 9-1-1 text messages.
Here are a few tips and suggestions that will help citizens
use the tool more efficiently and effectively if needed:
Texting should only be used for
emergency situations that require an immediate response from police, fire or
emergency medical services. Non-emergency issues should still be communicated by
calling the non-emergency number, 385-5000.
Calling 9-1-1 is quicker, more
efficient and preferred, so texting to 9-1-1 should be reserved for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, unable to speak and those who are in a situation
where speaking is unsafe.
Provide the location and nature of the
emergency in the first text. This will enable help to be dispatched as quickly
as possible.
Do not use slang, text speak, emoticons or
abbreviations. This will ensure clear and concise information is relayed to
call takers.
As with all text messages, 9-1-1
messages can take longer to receive, can be received out of order, or may not
be received at all.
Service can be used by any text-capable
cellular device and does not require a smartphone.
Texts sent to 9-1-1 have the same
160-character limit as other text messages.
A text or data plan is required to
place a text to 9-1-1 and costs may be incurred depending on an individual’s
contract with their provider.
Communications Apps like iMessage, BBM,
or WhatsApp will not work with the service, only standard SMS texts.
Text to 9-1-1 is not available if you
are roaming.
If texting to 9-1-1 is not available or
is temporarily unavailable, you will receive a bounce-back message indicating
that texting 9-1-1 is not available and to place a voice call to 9-1-1.
Photos and videos cannot be sent to
9-1-1 at this time.
Texts to 9-1-1 cannot include more than
one person – do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.
Remember “Do NOT text and drive!”