TEXTING ALARMS TO THE 911 SYSTEM.

[68jk09]

Is this another debacle in the making ?..... it may be a good adjunct to the system but not all New Yorkers have texting capability & the article states that 80% of cellphone users can text but what about those in NYC that do not have cell phones at all ...obviously they cannot text & i would say this raises the 20% number quite higher in the overall numbers & does the young child or anyone for that matter that escapes a burning bldg at 4 AM have a cell phone w/them ? ....what is the possibility of a text overload in the case of a large scale incident ?....what is the possibility of an incorrect digit being entered in time of panic ? .... one number off can make quite a difference....they have not mastered how to receive voice calls & get them deciphered & relayed yet... should they go into texting before they address polishing up the existing Alarm Box system ?....i say fix the Box system first & assign an adequate response THEN add additional options like texting....  http://nypost.com/2014/09/08/text-to-911-capability-could-be-coming-to-new-york-city/

 

[DECC16743]

Texting to 911 is not meant to replace calling. It is ideally suited for those who are in an unsafe environment to make a call. I.E. domestic disturbance, or home invasion, where the victim is afraid to be heard but needs help. If the option to text for help was/is available it could be beneficially.

My old center was one of the first to go online with texting, we even used during an active shooter drill at a medium size university. It takes getting use to but does have its + and -.