EDMONTON – Edmonton’s deaf, deafened, hard-of-hearing, and speech-impaired (DHHSI) communities will soon have an easier method to contact 911.
Edmonton’s 911 Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) is in the process of implementing the new ‘Text with 911’ service which allows members of the DHHSI communities to use their mobile phones to send text messages to 911 operators in emergencies.
“Right now, without the Text 911, there’s really nothing we can do,” explained Diane Underschultz, who is hearing impaired. “I would have to use a TTY – a telephone device for the deaf – or ask a non-deaf person to call for me. And, without the Text 911, I have very limited access.”
“If I had the Text 911, then I’d be much more independent and I’d have that accessibility to communication services so it would be way better.”
The Text with 911 service isn’t scheduled to go live in Edmonton until later this year, but those interested in using the technology are encouraged to register with their wireless service providers to ensure they have access to the technology when it becomes available.
“We’re currently working with TELUS to implement the necessary infrastructure, and with our emergency services partners to train personnel on the new system,” Insp. Erik Johnson with the EPS Communications Branch.
“When the system is in place and has been tested, we will inform the community that the Edmonton 911 PSAP is Text 911 ready.”
The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) – which operates the Edmonton 911 PSAP – says the new system will be a vast improvement over the current technology, which can only be used from landlines.
Underschultz is looking forward to the upgrade.
“In terms of technology, everyone has a cell phone now. Non-hearing people have way more access than deaf people. We would like to equalize that and be on the same page as hearing people for any emergency situation. So that we feel like we’re part of that situation and we have the communication.”
Underschultz said the 911 feature would have helped her in the past, for instance, when her daughter hit her head and fell unconscious.
“I didn’t know what to do, so I had to ask my son to call 911,” she explained.
“My son is non-deaf, so he could do that for me.”
Underschultz’ son was quite young at the time, and didn’t know how to explain the situation to emergency personnel over the phone.
“All the services came and he was in shock.”
“It really felt bad to put my children in that situation.”
In Edmonton, there are approximately 8,000 deaf and 188,000 hard-of-hearing individuals who could utilize the new system.
The Text with 911 service will only be available for Edmonton’s DHHSI community.
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