New technology is making it easier for the hard of hearing to get help in an emergency.
Chatham-Kent police are launching a new “Text with 911” service.
Brian French is the training supervisor at the Chatham-Kent 911 communications centre, and says the program is essentially a step up from the old TTY machines that could be plugged into a rotary phone.
“Unlike a standard text message, you dial 911 and once you get through to an operator your phone goes into a special text with 911 mode,” says French. “That gives us the advantage of hearing the ambiant sounds are around the caller.”
French says it’s a huge upgrade for anyone with a hearing or speech impairment, because they no longer have to be within reach of a standard home phone to be able to call for help.
To register or to find out more information, visit http://textwith911.ca/en/home.
