Being able to text 911 instead of call will likely happen sooner than later.
“We have already done some testing- our new system is capable of doing that,” Butler County 911 Coordinator Rob McLafferty said. “We are close to making that a reality.”
However, this texting technology is not meant to replace calling 911.
“Our goal is always going to be that someone calls us if they can,” McLafferty said. “The only time we would use texting is when someone is in a situation where they can’t call.”
The new technology will also be very beneficial to anyone who is hearing-impaired.
Allegheny County has already starting using the technology.
