911 texting is now available in Delaware (just no emojis or pictures)

Delaware’s 911 centers have begun accepting emergency requests for help via text messages, a service that can aid those with hearing and speech disabilities.

It can also be a potential lifesaver for people in situations where it is not safe to place a voice call, such as in a domestic violence incident.

"Advocates know that there are times when calling and speaking to a 911 operator may place a victim of domestic violence in greater danger and victims with disabilities who cannot speak experience even greater isolation and potential harm by not being able to get help immediately," said Sue Ryan, executive director of the Delaware Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "We are grateful that Delaware has developed the technology to support texts to 911 Emergency Call Centers."

There were more than 22,000 reports of domestic violence made to Delaware law enforcement last year, but still, there were many incidents that went unreported. Text-to-911 now allows people in Delaware to send a text message to 911 from a mobile phone or handheld device.

The messages are then routed to the appropriate Delaware 911 center.

"There are many emergency situations that occur each day placing our citizens in a position where making a call is not possible," said Gov. John Carney, who demonstrated how to use the function Monday morning at the Cpl. Paul J. Sweeney Public Safety Building in Minquadale.

"Text to 911 is a life-saving technology, giving our citizens one more way to reach out for help when they need it most," he said. "This is just another step Delaware is taking to make our communities safer."

Municipalities and states across the country have been moving to provide this service.

"It was developed primarily for people who have some hearing and speech difficulties," said Lucinda Parker, a spokeswoman with the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management. "But it's also applicable in other situations, maybe a domestic violence situation or maybe if there is an intruder in the home and it would be dangerous to speak."

Ninety-seven of Iowa's 99 counties have the service.

The feature works like any other text.

Simply enter 911 in the "To" or "Recipient" field. The first text should be short and include the location of the emergency, as well as whether police, fire or ambulance are needed.

Respond to text questions from the 911 operator and follow their instructions.

Keep text messages short and use simple words. Do not use abbreviations, emojis or slang.

Photos and videos cannot be sent to 911 at this time. Texts to this number cannot include more than one person.

While the function is now available across Delaware, voice calls to 911 are still the best and fastest way to contact 911 in the event of an emergency. Some of the reasons for that are because voice calls are real-time communication and texts are not. Another reason is that text GPS location is not equal to current wireless location technology.

Contact Esteban Parra at (302) 324-2299, eparra@delawareonline.com or Twitter @eparra3.

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