Licking Co. now offering Text-to-911
NEWARK – Licking County announced its launch of a service allowing the Licking County Regional Communication Center to receive emergency information via text messages.
According to Nathan Bryan, Licking County Regional Communication Center Operations Manager, discussions about adding Text-to-911 as a service in Licking County began in August. A grant covered a portion of the start-up cost, he said, which covered the purchase of routers needed to ensure texts come through from the caller.
In a press release, Licking County EMA said Text-to-911 should only be used in an emergency situation when placing a call isn’t possible. They suggested examples of if the caller is deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or when a caller talking out loud could put them in danger.
Bryan explained typically their agency has anywhere from two to four dispatchers on call to answer 911 calls. He said each will also be responsible for answering Text-to-911, and that all staff members between the 911 center and sheriff’s office have been trained and are able to process the messages.
When a dispatcher is actively engaged in a Text-to-911 message, Bryan said they will not answer a voice 911 call.
Already, Bryan said their agency has received several Text-to-911 messages, including a domestic incident and a suspicious person outside a window.
Through the new program, Licking County EMA Director Sean Grady said it will enable their emergency services to serve the community in situations where the caller can’t speak or there may be additional dangers if they speak.
“I think it shows a willingness for Licking County to really look at the future and how to best help our residents by implementing technology like this, whereas we know it’s not a program available in all of Ohio,” Licking County
EMA spokeswoman Olivia Biggs said. “It shows our willingness to be on the front edge of that.”
According to Bryan, the program has been implemented in areas such as Franklin County, Reynoldsburg, and Delaware.
Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp described the program as another tool in the toolbox to make Licking County as safer community.
According to the press release the Text-to-911 service may come with challenges, including requiring a text or data plan to place a Text-to-911, the fact messages to 911 may take longer to receive, may arrive out of order or may not be received at all, photos and videos cannot be sent to 911, and the text to 911 cannot include more than one person.
Licking County EMA encouraged those making a text message to 911 to include the location and type of emergency in their first message, text in simple words without abbreviations or slang, be prepared to answer questions from the dispatcher, and not to text and drive.
The agency said voice calls to 911 are still the best and fastest way to contact the agency and should be made during an emergency whenever possible.
“I think it shows a willingness for Licking County to really look at the future and how to best help our residents by implementing technology like this.”
Olivia Biggs Licking County EMA spokeswoman