Hillsborough County Fire Rescue has added a Text to 911 option to its emergency dispatch services, according to a Hillsborough County news release.
The feature allows residents to access 911 services when they cannot communicate by a telephone call.
Text to 911 could help residents who:
- Can’t talk because they fear for their physical safety
- Are deaf or hard of hearing
- Are experiencing an emergency where they do not have adequate mobile phone service for a phone call to connect, but a text may still go through.
Text to 911 is as easy as texting friends and family, the release said.
The text message will be handled by a dispatcher who will have an open text dialog with the resident until the situation is resolved.
Calling 911 is still the preferred method, but the new Text to 911 option could be a lifesaver for residents who are unable to communicate over the phone with the emergency dispatch center.
Put simply, Hillsborough County’s emergency dispatch ask people to call in emergencies if they can and use a text, if they can’t call.
Published June 16, 2021
