Verizon Wireless customers in Steuben County can now report emergencies to 911 via text message.
The service is available to any Verizon Wireless customer who has access to a Steuben County cell tower. It’s intended primarily for those who are unable to make a voice call, either because they are incapable of speech or because the situation dictates silence, such as during a home invasion or an abduction.
“The safety of residents and visitors in Steuben County is our No. 1 concern,” Steuben County Deputy Administrator Jack Wheeler said. “Text to 911 could be a life-saver, especially for people who might otherwise not be able to make a voice call.”Officials say those seeking help should only send a text to 911 when making a voice call is not an option; texting is not always instantaneous, and it may take slightly longer to dispatch emergency services in a text-to-911 situation.
Also, officials said location information and details of the emergency should be provided in the initial text message because the 911 center will only get an approximate location of the phone and will not be able to speak with the person sending the text.
Abbreviations should not be used, and senders have the same 160-character limit as standard shortmessage- service (SMS) texts – third-party texting applications that don’t use SMS will not work. Also, Verizon Wireless customers who utilize usage controls should remove the feature to ensure full text to- 911 capability.
Verizon Wireless customers in Steuben County can now report emergencies to 911 via text message.
The service is available to any Verizon Wireless customer who has access to a Steuben County cell tower. It’s intended primarily for those who are unable to make a voice call, either because they are incapable of speech or because the situation dictates silence, such as during a home invasion or an abduction.
“The safety of residents and visitors in Steuben County is our No. 1 concern,” Steuben County Deputy Administrator Jack Wheeler said. “Text to 911 could be a life-saver, especially for people who might otherwise not be able to make a voice call.”Officials say those seeking help should only send a text to 911 when making a voice call is not an option; texting is not always instantaneous, and it may take slightly longer to dispatch emergency services in a text-to-911 situation.
Also, officials said location information and details of the emergency should be provided in the initial text message because the 911 center will only get an approximate location of the phone and will not be able to speak with the person sending the text.
Abbreviations should not be used, and senders have the same 160-character limit as standard shortmessage- service (SMS) texts – third-party texting applications that don’t use SMS will not work. Also, Verizon Wireless customers who utilize usage controls should remove the feature to ensure full text to- 911 capability.
