County Executive Matt Meyer

A/Director of Public Safety Michael Hojnicki

Presentation to County Council

March 13, 2018

DELAWARE TEXT TO 911

CALL 911 IF YOU CAN

TEXT 911 IF YOU CANT

• State of Delaware handled 854,280 total 911 calls.

• New Castle County 911 Center handled 374,003 911 calls.

• New Castle County 911 Center handled 283,038 911 calls via a cellular device.

• New Castle County 911 processed an additional 101,648 non-emergency calls.

• New Castle County 911 received 32,169 calls for neighboring 911 Centers.

2017 CALL STATISTICS

• What is Text-to-911?• Text-to-911 is the ability to send a text message to 911 from

your mobile phone.

• Text-to-911 is not available everywhere and it’s not always available when roaming.

• If Text-to-911 is not available you should receive a return message indicating this and instructions on how to call 911.

• If you do not receive a text response from 911, you should contact us by phone.

TEXT-TO-911

• Who Should Text 911?• An individual who is deaf, hard of hearing, or has a speech

disability.

• Someone who is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 911.

• Someone who is experiencing a medical emergency that renders them incapable of speech.

TEXT-TO-911

• How do I text 911?• Enter the numbers 911 in the “To” or “Recipient” field.

• The first text to 911 should be short; include the location of the emergency; and ask for police, fire or ambulance.

• Answer all questions and follow instructions from the 911 call operator.

• Text in simple words – no abbreviations, emoji's or slang.

• Keep all text messages short.

• Most importantly do not text and drive.

TEXT-TO-911

• Why is calling 911 the best option?• Voice calls are real-time communication, and Text-to-911 is

not. As with all text messages, messages to 911 may take longer to receive and process.

• Photos and videos cannot be sent at this time.

• Text-to-911 cannot include more than one person

• Text GPS location information is not equal to current wireless-location technology.

TEXT-TO-911

County Executive Matt Meyer

A/Director of Public Safety Michael Hojnicki

DELAWARE TEXT TO 911

CALL 911 IF YOU CAN

TEXT 911 IF YOU CANT