The Owen Sound Police Service is pleased to announce the launch of TEXT with 9-1-1 (T9-1-1), a new service that provides the capability for the deaf, deafened, hard of hearing or speech impaired (DHHSI) community in Canada to communicate with emergency 9-1-1 services. This service is now available in Grey and Bruce Counties, Wingham, Aylmer, Port Hope and Dryden area.
TEXT with 9-1-1 service allows members of the DHHSI community to call 9-1-1 during an emergency and converse with a 9-1-1 operator using text messaging rather than by voice. Specialized software will allow the 9-1-1 communications staff to recognize the call as coming from a registered phone, associated with the DHHSI community, and text back and forth with the caller to address the emergency. There will be no need for a caller to be able to speak or hear.
There is no cost for this service but a registered DHHSI user will require a valid wireless subscription for text messaging.
The TEXT with 9-1-1 service is presently not available to the wider cellular community. Unless a caller is pre-registered with their cellular provider, text messages to 9-1-1 will not reach emergency services.
Further, if a non-registered device attempts to TEXT with 9-1-1 they will receive an automated text message that says "Voice dial 9-1-1 directly, as texting 9-1-1 is not supported" in both English and French.
Owen Sound Police Communicators have received training with the new system in efforts to ensure a streamlined process when emergency calls are completed by text.
DHHSI callers should only call 9-1-1 for emergencies. In Ontario, this service is currently only available in certain regions. If a DHHSI person dials 9-1-1 outside Bruce and Grey County, Wingham, Aylmer, Dryden, and Port Hope area, this service may not be available. Please visit www.Textwith911.ca to check the areas of availability.
