A16 | January 30, 2019 | Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
Text to 9-1-1
service available
in seven counties
In the case of an emergency,
most people’s primal instinct
is to pick up their phones and
dial 9-1-1.
Alamo Area Council of
Governments’ (AACOG)
Regional 9-1-1 program is
now offering an alternative to
dialing 9-1-1; though the help
of multiple community partners, residents in Atascosa,
Bandera, Frio, Gillespie,
Karnes, Kendall and Wilson
counties can now send a text message to seek help. “In a case of domestic violence, a home intruder, an
abduction or an active shooter, Text To 9-1-1 may be the
only alternative to call for help without compromising your
safety,” said Marcela Medina,
AACOG Director of Public
Safety. In these circumstances —
along with the opportunity to
now provide direct access to
9-1-1 services for individuals
with hearing or speech impairments — first responders’ continued adoption of technology
enhances existing systems and
offers solutions.
Because the Text to 9-1-1 service uses local cell towers, it is subject to the limitations and
challenges as wireless calls.
AACOG reminds users to:
• Only use the text service when
unable to make a phone call;
• Do not text and drive;
• Send the exact location and
type of emergency;
• Silence the phone if noise may
compromise safety;
• Use plain language and avoid
abbreviations or slang;
• Photos and videos cannot be
sent to 9-1-1 at this time;
• Using the text to 9-1-1 service is
just as serious as calling 9-1-1, and
should only be used in case of emergencies;
• Do not use the text message service as a joke, prank, or when
there is no emergency.