Engineering:Text-to-911

From HandWiki
Short description: Technology that enables 9-1-1 dispatchers to receive text messages

Text-to-911 is a technology that enables emergency call takers to receive text messages.[1] Its use is encouraged for people with hearing impairment or who have trouble speaking; it can also be used for situations when it is too dangerous to call.[2] Text-to-911 has been supported by the four major cellular providers in the United States since 2014,[3] but (As of October 2018) it is only supported by approximately 1,600 of more than 6,000 emergency call centers.[4]

Adoption

The FCC maintains a registry of areas supporting text-to-911. All carriers are required to send bounce-back messages to inform the sender that the message could not be received if text-to-911 is not supported by the local call center.[5]

Statewide Support

The National Association of the Deaf provides a map of states providing text-to-911.[16]

Challenges

Call centers are usually funded by both state and federal funding.[4] Limited funding and outdated technology have slowed the adoption of text-to-911.[4] Voice-based calls are still preferred and considered the more efficient form of communication.[1] Many cities are concerned about overuse of texting, which may slow response times.[2] Texts to 911 are not prioritized so they may be slow to be delivered.[5]

History

In August 2009, Waterloo, Iowa, was the first county to begin receiving texts to 911.[17]

See also

  • 3-1-1, non-emergency number
  • 911 Tapping Protocol
  • Emergency medical dispatcher
  • Enhanced 911
  • Next Generation 9-1-1
  • Reverse 911

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Tsukayama, Hayley. "What you need to know about texting 911" (in en). Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-switch/wp/2014/05/15/what-you-need-to-know-about-texting-911/. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Too dangerous to talk? Some cities explore 911 texting". 2016-07-05. https://apnews.com/03aa9a33df3a4de1afcfdcb03ca40400. 
  3. "U.S.' Text-To-911 Service Goes Live, But You Probably Can't Use It Yet" (in en-US). 15 May 2014. http://social.techcrunch.com/2014/05/15/u-s-s-text-to-911-service-goes-live-but-you-probably-cant-use-it-yet/. 
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Why is it so hard to text 911?". 2018-10-31. https://apnews.com/93b9cf8a789b4a5ea32105d7f2eb6aa7. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Text Messaging 911 Takes Effect: What You Need to Know" (in en). https://abcnews.go.com/Technology/text-messaging-911-takes-effect/story?id=23728906. 
  6. "Text-to-911 Now Available Throughout Arizona" (in en-US). 12 July 2021. https://www.azdisabilitylaw.org/text-to-911-now-available-throughout-arizona/. 
  7. "Text to 911: How Often It's Being Used" (in en-US). https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/investigations/text-to-911-how-often-its-being-used/147462/. 
  8. "New "Text-to-911" Feature Now Available Statewide". 5 March 2018. https://news.delaware.gov/2018/03/05/text-911/. 
  9. Staff (2018-06-03). "After 4 years, Indiana embraces text-to-911 in emergencies" (in en-US). https://www.wishtv.com/news/after-4-years-indiana-embraces-text-to-911-in-emergencies/. 
  10. "Text 911 now available in Iowa" (in english). https://www.kwqc.com/content/news/Text-911-now-available-in-Iowa-450263933.html. 
  11. "Text-to-911 Available Statewide in Minnesota" (in en). 11 May 2018. https://www.govtech.com/em/next-gen-911/Text-to-911-Available-Statewide-in-Minnesota.html. 
  12. "Text-to-911 Now Available Throughout Maine" (in en). 17 December 2018. https://www.govtech.com/public-safety/Text-to-911-Now-Available-Throughout-Maine.html. 
  13. Press release nh.gov [|permanent dead link|dead link}}]
  14. "North Dakota Launches Local Solution for Statewide Next-Gen 911". 31 October 2014. https://www.govtech.com/recovery/north-dakota-launches-local-solution-next-gen-911.html/. 
  15. "South Dakota now offers 'text to 911'". 22 March 2021. https://www.keloland.com/news/capitol-news-bureau/south-dakota-now-offers-text-to-911. 
  16. "National Association of the Deaf - NAD". https://www.nad.org/resources/technology/access-to-911-emergency-services/. 
  17. Svensson, Peter (2009-08-05). "Iowa 911 center is first to accept text messages" (in en). http://www.nbcnews.com/id/32303244/ns/tech_and_science-tech_and_gadgets/t/iowa-center-first-accept-text-messages/. 

External links