DANVILLE (WSLS 10) - The Danville Emergency Communications Center announced Wednesday the availability of "text to 911."
Officials say it's a new option for residents and visitors who need to reach the city's emergency dispatchers for help when they are unable to make a voice call.
Recommended Videos
The service is intended primarily for use in two emergency scenarios; for an individual who is speech- or hearing-impaired, and for an individual who faces a circumstance in which texting is the best and safest available means to contact 911.
"In both emergency scenarios, ‘text to 911' could be a life-saver," Assistant Fire Chief Steve Dishman said in a written statement, released on Wednesday. "The second emergency scenario could develop, for example, in the instance of a home invasion or abduction in which a potential victim doesn't want to be heard making a voice call."
Officials say users should be aware of limitations to the "text-to-911" technology. As a result, Dishman is urging residents and visitors to note the following important information:
- Provide location information and the nature of the emergency in the first text message
- When texting, users must be in range of cell towers in Danville. If users are outside or near the edge of the city, the message may not reach the Emergency Communications Center
- Not all wireless carriers and other text messaging providers yet deliver emergency texts
- Use the texting function only for emergency situations that require an immediate response from police, fire or emergency medical services
- Text messages should only be used to communicate between Emergency Communications Center and the sender