By: Lanetra Bennett | WCTV Eyewitness News

March 28, 2019

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) -- Florida lawmakers have

that would require all 911 dispatchers to be able to receive 911 texts. It would have to be implemented by 2022.

However, Leon County is already working on it.

Leon County resident Angel Broxton said, "Let's say for instance you're at home and somebody comes in your house. Your phone's not working or you can't hear. You can text it real quick and they can just come right away."

The Leon County Consolidated Dispatch Agency director says the CDA is already working on a plan to get the equipment and start training in order to allow 911 texting by next year.

Local resident Sylvie Dulac is not that excited about the technology.

She said, "I don't even like to text, though. No, I don't agree with that. I like the phone call, it's better, 911."

The bill would also require all Florida dispatchers to be able to transfer calls to any other dispatch center in the state.

Currently, for many areas, if you're in another city, but need emergency services elsewhere, or if your 911 call is re-routed out of your area for some reason, the dispatcher cannot transfer you to area you need. You would have to know the number to the agency and call directly.

Steve Harrelson, the Leon County CDA Director, said, "It could mean somebody's life that would normally take minutes to do, can now take seconds to get a transfer to somebody to get help to them. Every second counts for us when we're dealing with emergencies."

Harrelson says Leon County has had the capability for years now where dispatchers can transfer calls in the region. Now, the agency is working on allowing transfers statewide, and even parts of Georgia.

Director Harrelson says allowing texting to 911 is complicated as far as getting the equipment, hiring staff and doing training.

However, for someone in need, all they have to do is text 911 and state their emergency in the message. From there, he says dispatchers will decipher where to send assistance as they normally do.

He says it will be completed even if the legislation does not pass.