Too Injured to Speak? Soon You Will Be Able to Text 911
- Posted on August 14, 2011 at 7:16pm by
Liz Klimas
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For those who are too injured to speak after an accident or if a discrete message needs to be sent to police, texting 911 could be a life-saver. The Federal Communications Commission met Wednesday to discuss moving forward with plans to allow 911 texts, photos, video and other IP communication for emergency situations.
The Hill quotes Chairman Julius Genachowski saying that it‘s hard to imagine that we can’t text 911.
“The unfortunate truth is that the capability of our emergency response communications has not kept pace with commercial innovation — has not kept pace with what ordinary people now do every day with communications devices. The shift to [Next Generation 911 (NG911)] can’t be about if, but about when and how.”
Emergency responders will be able to accept 911 texts, video and photos, in addition to calls. (Arlington Now)
NG911 was proposed in 2010 and a rulemaking is expected to be made next month. The press release from the FCC says that the ability to send IP-based communications to 911 will increase accessibility to the service, provide responders with more information about the emergency and increase reliablity compared to the current circuit-switch system.
The press release states the traditional system would stay in place, even after NG911 was implemented, for as long as necessary. For now, the FCC has a five-step plan to move toward allowing this new form of communication: develop location accuracy; enable customers to send text, photos and video to answering points; complete/implement technical standards; develop governance framework; and develop funding model.
The Hill references the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting as the stimulus behind the FCC’s push for allowing IP-based communication with 911 responders.
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Caerus
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 10:39pmAbout time! A year or two ago our house was broken into while we were asleep in our (thankfully locked) bedroom. They dropped something and the noise woke me up. I called 911 on my cell phone, but I was terrified that they would hear me talking on the phone (or hear the 911 dispatcher talking back to me). They DID hear, by the way, but thankfully they took off rather than breaking into the bedroom.
I remember thinking at the time that 911 really needs to accept texts.
Report Post »ArmyStandard
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:39pmIf you cant talk. How the **** are you going to text?
Better have swipe, cause‘ t9 is gonna cost ya if you’re choking.
Report Post »docvet
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:32pmUmm, well… If I’m too injured to talk, what are the odds I can punch those micro-keys and see what I wrote on a 2“ x3” screen? I admit it is great for a trapped person who cannot be heard or doesn’t dare yell because a killer is in the area. But for the victim, I’m not sure this will be all that useful.
Report Post »N37BU6
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 10:00pmKids text 911 to their dealers all the time.
“Need 2 g’s… 911, bro”
Report Post »kindling
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:03pmIf I dial 911 where I live and say nothing they will come. If my 2 year old dials it the police comes. I learned that the hard way…….and so did she. If a 2 year old dials 2953821 they come. It was something like that she did to bring the police. They came even though 911 called back to see if everything was ok. I had not known my daughter had dialed a bunch of numbers. After I hung up with the nice lady a nice policeman came to visit to be sure I was not being forced to say everything was ok. I feel very safe.
Report Post »Weiners Wiener
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 7:54pm“I just ate a bunch of pot brownies and I think I’m dead…”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrZLc9lqQM0
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:28pmUnbelievable! This guy should have a new drug of chioce. OMG!
Report Post »ArmyStandard
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 2:32pmThat was hilarious. Thank you.
Report Post »DarkFire
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 7:36pm911 how may i help you? ” i only got 19 chicken nuggets and i am suppose to have 20. ”
““ ”“ ” i need to goto the hospital i have a fever ”
““ ”“ ” i am downtown and i need to find a McDonalds ”
““ ”“ ” where can i get tickets to the next cinama show ”
meanwhile ………………… a real caller is trying to get through ” my house is on fire, or im having a heart attack, or i have been in a car accident ”
911 is a joke to most people they think it is there to solve the everyday problem. there call centers are overwelmed with stupid calls like the ones i have posted above. so texting is going to help, DON’T THINK SO. good luck on that one.
Report Post »redneck
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:21pmAfter pressing 9, where do I find the 11 button?
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:49pmYou are much too cynical; I think these absurdities make the news because they are so rare.
Report Post »Wino911
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 9:43pmBingo! I worked for 20-years as a 911 Dispatcher/Supervisor. It’s misused the majority of times and a false sense of security for the general public. Learn to protect yourself if you are able…..
Report Post »Reverend_Child
Posted on August 15, 2011 at 6:29amREDNECK, that was funny as hell.
Report Post »MidWestMom
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 7:34pmGee, another way for the government to keep tabs on us dressed up in “for your own good”. Thanks but no thanks.
Report Post »TheGreyPiper
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 8:52pmHow is it “keeping tabs” on you?Honest to God, way too many of you folks are just paranoid. It’s not a spy ray, people, it’s a number to call in an emergency. Ya don’t want it, don’t dial it.
Report Post »Captain Crunch
Posted on August 14, 2011 at 7:30pm“I have on of those conservative christians in front of me right now. I’ll keep him occupied until you get here to arrest him. @666 Liberal Lane Fantasyland, USA”
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