York Regional Police launch 911 text service

Yorkregion.com
Oct. 6, 2014
By Laura Finney

York Regional Police have introduced a new text-to-911 service for members of the deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired (DHHSI) community.

The new service launched Oct. 1 and will allow DHHSI individuals in need of urgent help to communicate directly with a 911 call taker using text messaging.

If emergency services are required, the user can dial 911.

York Regional Police will initiate the text session keeping the audio line open so the call taker can hear what is happening in the background.

Users will first have to register with their wireless service provider.

Until now, the only way for the DHHSI community within York Region to communicate with 911 was with a tele-typewriter system. The service will not be available for members of the general public.

The York Regional Police 911 call centre is only the second in Ontario to offer 911 services specifically for the DHHSI community.

An instructional video on the text-to-911 service is available for download at the Canadian Wireless Telecommunication Associations website at textwith911.ca.

For more information, contact corporate communications at 1-866-875-5423, ext. 2664.