PLANO (KRLD) - The city council has approved an upgrade to their current emergency system, which will let people send text messages to 911 in emergencies. The city expects this will be especially beneficial for the deaf and hard of hearing.
“For a lot of them, texting is their primary form of communication,” says Susan Rodriguez with Plano’s public safety communications. “This will allow them, in an emergency, to have the same level of accessibility to 911.”
Texting 911 could also be a safer option in situations where making a voice call would put someone in greater danger.
Still, Plano city leaders want people to call 911 first before resorting to a text message.
“Our message will be ‘Call if you can, text if you can’t,’” says Rodriguez. “Obviously a voice call allows the call takers to hear background noise and tone of voice. Sometimes that can be just as vital in an emergency.”
Dispatchers will ask for the same detailed information over text as they would during a voice call.
Texting 911 will be available in Plano this summer.