Delaware County’s Emergency Communications department is the first in Central Ohio to launch a Text to 9-1-1 service. This service will allow the public to contact a Delaware County, Ohio, dispatcher by texting a message to the phone number 911. The dispatcher will be able to respond and continue communicating with the sender via text. It is anticipated this service will save lives when a sender is in an emergency situation where remaining silent is necessary or where speaking is not possible. The service also will aid senders who are hearing- or speech-impaired.
“The 9-1-1 Center still prefers everyone to call 9-1-1,” said Patrick Brandt, director of the Delaware County Emergency Communications department. “However, Text to 9-1-1 will definitely give us more options.”