911 call center in Iowa is first in country to respond to text messages (Phone Arena News)

Home
›
News and Articles
›
911 call center in Iowa is first in country to respond to text messages

911 call center in Iowa is first in country to respond to text messages

News icon

Published on: 06 August, 2009 by PhoneArena Team

911 call center in Iowa is first in country to respond to text messages

advertisment:

Here's a first for you. The emergency call center in Black Hawk County Iowa is now the first in the country to accept text messages as an emergency call. "I think there's a need to get out front and get this technology available," County police chief Thomas Jennings said. He continued by saying that the technology should be helpful to those residents in the county who are deaf and hard of hearing. Calling 911 is still the preferred way to get the word about an emergency out to the authorities, according to John Snapp, senior technical officer of Intrado-the company that upgraded the call center in Iowa to accept texts.

Right at this moment, only subscribers in Black Hawk County to i wireless, a local carrier affiliated with T-Mobile, can use this service. Because text messages will not give a location of origin to those at 911 call centers, a reply text is sometimes necessary asking for the city or zip code where the emergency is happening. If the answer is a location within the county, the text message goes through to an operator who can send and receive text messages. Otherwise, the person with the emergency is sent a text urging him to call 911.

Intrado is also working with other call centers on upgrading to accept text messages. In the future, the company says that photos and videos will be accepted to summon help and that pictures or video can help responders know what to expect when responding to a call, and can also help identify possible suspects in a crime. Already there have been some cases in the U.S. where a kidnap victim was able to secretly text a message to summon help. The whole idea behind texting emergency calls is to speed up response time.

source: AP via EngadgetMobile

Email this article to a friend

Comments icon User comments

User comments

+2
1.

EraserXIV @ 06 August, 2009 11:12:06 PM

makes sense for situations where talking might not be possible or may be dangerous (kidnapping, hostage situation, etc)

+1
2.

Pr0cl1v1ty @ 07 August, 2009 08:01:06 AM

yes exactly

Reply to this comment

Reply to this comment View 1 replies to this comment

Reply to EraserXIV Hide 1 replies to this comment

+1
3.

xmguy @ 07 August, 2009 11:04:07 AM

This is also an option if you need help but your phone battery is low. A text message might get through where a phone call might not.

Reply to this comment View 0 replies to this comment

Reply to xmguy Hide 0 replies to this comment

0
4.

BlackberryUser @ 10 August, 2009 08:28:18 AM

I think this is a great idea and will hopefully drive new advancements in cell phone technology. I could easily see cell phone manufacturers putting the cell phone in a 911 mode for location if a text message is sent to 911. This would eleviate the location issues they're currently facing.

A text is not only good for emergency situations where a phone call can't be made, but also for non-emergency situations where you may want to contact the police. This would not tie up the phone lines, but allow you to report an issue on the road. (IE: "Car broke down on city street blocking traffic")

I hope to see this technology advance further.

Reply to this comment View 0 replies to this comment

Reply to BlackberryUser Hide 0 replies to this comment