The Owen Sound Police Service has launched a new TEXT With 911 service for residents who are deaf, deafened, hard of hearing, or speech impaired.
They can now call 911 during an emergency and communicate with a 911 operator using text messaging rather than by voice.
Specialized software will allow the 911 staff to recognize the call as coming from a registered phone, associated with the hearing or speech impaired community, and text back and forth with the caller to address the emergency. There is no need for a user to speak or hear.
TEXT With 911 service is now available in Grey and Bruce Counties, Wingham, Aylmer, Port Hope and Dryden area. It is not available to the wider cellular community.
Owen Sound Police Communicators have received training with the new system to ensure a streamlined process when emergency calls are completed by text.
There is no cost for this service but a registered DHHSI user will require a valid wireless subscription for text messaging.
If a non-registered device attempts to TEXT with 911 they will receive an automated text message that says: "Voice dial 911 directly, as texting 911 is not supported."
