Miss-Delectable
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WSYX ABC6 On Your Side Top Story - 911 Texting On Its Way to Franklin Co.
Franklin County is upgrading its wireless 911 call centers to allowed texting, and eventually pictures and video.
It's called Next Generation 911, a system that allows you to text your emergency in the event a 911 call can't be made.
It's expected to be especially beneficial for the hearing impaired.
"I think this is a step to make things equal for everybody," said John Moore, CEO of the Deaf Services Center in Worthington.
Moore says almost 9 percent of Ohio's population is deaf or hearing impaired.
"They can't just pick up the phone and talk," Moore said. "They have to have access an IP, IM relay, or text message to a relay service or finding a video phone and making that phone call and that requires Internet access, Wi-Fi access. Whereas texting would be absolutely be the fastest and most efficient way."
Moore says there have been times in the past where he's felt helpless because he couldn't call for help.
"There have been situations in the past where you had to call someone who was able to hear and say okay you need to make a phone call."
It's early on in the process, but if all goes as planned, the new system could go into effect next year.
The number to text emergencies probably won't be 911, but some other combination that is easy to remember.
The service would be available to everyone, no matter with whom they have their cell service.
Franklin County is upgrading its wireless 911 call centers to allowed texting, and eventually pictures and video.
It's called Next Generation 911, a system that allows you to text your emergency in the event a 911 call can't be made.
It's expected to be especially beneficial for the hearing impaired.
"I think this is a step to make things equal for everybody," said John Moore, CEO of the Deaf Services Center in Worthington.
Moore says almost 9 percent of Ohio's population is deaf or hearing impaired.
"They can't just pick up the phone and talk," Moore said. "They have to have access an IP, IM relay, or text message to a relay service or finding a video phone and making that phone call and that requires Internet access, Wi-Fi access. Whereas texting would be absolutely be the fastest and most efficient way."
Moore says there have been times in the past where he's felt helpless because he couldn't call for help.
"There have been situations in the past where you had to call someone who was able to hear and say okay you need to make a phone call."
It's early on in the process, but if all goes as planned, the new system could go into effect next year.
The number to text emergencies probably won't be 911, but some other combination that is easy to remember.
The service would be available to everyone, no matter with whom they have their cell service.