Connecticut’s new ‘Text-to-911’ service was announced Thursday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.

By Ronni Newton

The State of Connecticut’s new “Text-to-911” service was officially announced Thursday, and dispatchers in West Hartford have already been trained and are prepared to respond to the new system which is intended as an option when a voice call cannot be made.

The service is now in effect and available statewide.

West Hartford Assistant Police Chief Dan Coppinger said Friday that the town’s dispatchers have all been trained and the system has been tested.

”The town of West Hartford has twelve civilian public safety dispatchers,” Coppinger said. “We staff two to three dispatchers per shift. We have conducted training and testing of the new service over the past several months and have found the new option to be very successful.”  

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced Thursday that the new capability to text an emergency notification is part of the state’s new Next Generation 9-1-1 Emergency Telecommunications System. Connecticut is one of only a few states to roll out an emergency texting system statewide.

“The safety and security of our residents is a top priority and this is an important innovation that will indubitably save lives,” Malloy said in a statement. “There are emergency situations where a voice call to 9-1-1 is neither possible nor safe. This technology provides increased protection for residents, including victims of domestic violence and those who are deaf or hard of hearing, by increasing access to emergency responders in such scenarios.”

West Hartford has a sizable deaf population, Coppinger said, and this service will be an important resource for them, as well as those with speech disabilities or anyone who is unable to make a voice call, such as in domestic violence situations where a victim doesn’t want to be heard but can is able to text.

Coppinger said that the system has already been used in a few cases by town residents with minor medical calls, but cautions people not to try it just to test it out. “We would just like to remind residents that voice calls to 911 remain the best and fastest way to contact emergency services whenever it is feasible to do so. Text-to-911 is only intended to be used when absolutely necessary or needed, which is why the new system’s theme is: ‘Call if you can, text if you can’t,'” said Coppinger.

To use Text-to-911, enter the numbers “911” in the “to” or “recipient” field on a mobile phone or other handheld device. Text a brief message that includes the location of the emergency and what services are needed (police, fire, ambulance).  After that, answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call center.

“The Text-to-911 feature is a new alternative to calling 9-1-1 and designed for people who are in danger and are unable to speak,” Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman said in a statement. “Residents in need of assistance now have a new tool to communicate with emergency services to get the help that they need. This will certainly help save lives and I’m glad this technology is currently available in Connecticut.”

“It is critical that everyone is able to contact 9-1-1 to summon help in an emergency and that is why Connecticut created Text-to-911 capability,” Commissioner Dora Schriro of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) said in a statement. “The Text-to-911 feature was added to enhance the public’s safety and wellbeing and it could save lives, especially for those with hearing and speech impairments and anyone in a situation where silence is essential to their safety when summoning help. Soon, public service announcements will air on TV and radio showing you how to use this feature, but for additional information any time, go to www.Text911CT.org.

The DESPP’s Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications maintains and operates the state’s 9-1-1 Emergency Telecommunications System. An education campaign has been launched to make the public aware of the new service, with particular outreach to targeted populations.

For more information on the Text-to-911 system and to see a demonstration of the capability, visit www.Text911CT.org.

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