The fastest, most reliable way to reach 911 in an emergency is to call and speak to a dispatcher. But now the Gwinnett County Police Department can also be reached by texting to 911. Citizens will be able to send a text to 911 if they are in a situation that makes it difficult to call.
According to the department’s press release, “text to 911 is intended primarily for use in three emergency scenarios:
· For an individual who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability.
· For someone who is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 911.
· A medical emergency that renders the person incapable of speech.”
Citizens must subscribe to their wireless carrier’s text or data plan to make or receive text messages. Unlike voice calls to 911, the public cannot send a text message to 911 without a service plan. Citizens need to be aware that text messaging apps that only support texting with other app users or texting via social media are not required to support text to 911.
Information: www.gwinnettcounty.com.
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