BerquistJerrymediumJamestown  (CSi)  All of North Dakota now has access to 9-1-1 texting, but, only as a secondary option if a voice call is not possible.

On Thursday’s  Wayne Byers Show on CSi Cable 2, Stutsman County 9-1-1 Coordinator, and Emergency Manager Jerry Bergquist said the service is good for individuals in danger who can’t pick up the phone. Texting could work best in situations where speaking could put the caller in more danger, such as during a break-in or a domestic violence situation, and could  mean the difference between life or death.

He pointed out that the service will also be helpful for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Bergquist said calling is preferred because dispatchers can learn more from a phone call and can get real time answers and a location.

It is important for texters to include their location and send messages without abbreviations or slang.

Customers of any of the six cellular carriers operating in the State (AT&T, Sagebrush, Sprint, SRT, T-Mobile and Verizon) can now send a text to 9-1-1 in an emergency, and that message will be routed to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) for response.

He added that all texts to 9-1-1 in the state are sent to the Red River Regional Dispatch Center in Fargo, where a team processes the messages and contacts dispatch in the location where the text was sent.

Bergquist said of the 22 Public Safety Answering Points in the state, only Cass, Grand Forks, Walsh and Williams counties have the equipment to process texts. Stutsman County is waiting for an equipment change, and it will be another two years before it can receive texts.

The texting service is part of the Next Generation 911 program, which is working to improve emergency response systems across the country.

In about two years, individuals will be able to send photos and videos to 9-1-1, with the additional information sent to responders, so they have a better idea of what they are responding to.

Bergquist said it is important for people to remember, “Call if you can, text if you can’t.”

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a call, remember these steps:

  • Enter “911” in the To Text to 9-1-1: Type 911 in the “To field”.
  • It is essential for users to include in the message their location including house number, street address and city.
  • It should also include a description of the type of emergency and help needed.
  • Text in simple words – Send a short text message without abbreviations or slang.
  • Some examples are:
  • Send Police. 123 Best Avenue. Jamestown. Intruder in home.
  • Send Ambulance. 555 88th 2 vehicle crash.
  • Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

There are challenges that come with Text to 9-1-1, so a voice call is always preferred if possible and safe.

  • You need a text or data plan is required to place a text to 9-1-1 message.
  • Text to 9-1-1 is unable to accept photos and videos at this time.
  • As will all text messages, it may take longer to receive a text, it may arrive out of order, and it may not be received at all.
  • In some situations, if you are roaming on another carrier’s network, text-to-911 may not work.
  • Text to 9-1-1 is not available in every state, and if your text message happens to go through a cell tower in another state (calls near the border), you may receive a message that the service is unavailable.
  • Text to 9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1
  • Don’t Abuse 9-1-1—Text-to-9-1-1 service is ONLY for emergencies.
  • It is a crime to text or call 9-1-1 with a false report.
  • While the Text to 9-1-1 service is unable to accept photos or videos at this time, it is an area that will be developed in the future.

Additional information about 9-1-1 services in North Dakota at the North Dakota 911 Association website https://911.nd.gov/

Remember – Call if you can. Text if you can’t.

 

Previously…

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  People across North Dakota can now send a text to 911 in an emergency if they’re unable to call.

The North Dakota 911 Association and local governments announced Thursday that customers of any of the six cellular carriers operating in the state can now text to 911. The carriers are AT&T, Sagebrush, Sprint, SRT, T-Mobile and Verizon.

Association President Brent Nelson says calling 911 is still the best and fastest way to get emergency help. But he says the text-to-911 option can be useful in situations such as a home intrusion in which a person might be in further danger if they speak out loud to a dispatcher.

Officials say the texting option also will help people with hearing problems.