If you are in Brazos County and need to report an emergency…but can’t talk to dispatchers…you can now send a text to 9-1-1.
Patrick Corley, the executive director of the Brazos County 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District, says talking to dispatchers is still the best option.
Corley says the text feature should be used by those who can not speak…for instance those whose safety is jeopardized by talking.
Corley also says the feature does not work if you send videos or photos or when the text is part of a group message
Corley says the same software is being used as surrounding counties, which launched text to 9-1-1 earlier this year.
It took about one year for Brazos County, which has five dispatch locations and 26 work centers that handles 100,000 annually, to launch the service.
Click below for comments from Patrick Corley, visiting with WTAW’s Bill Oliver:
News release from Brazos County 9-1-1:
The Brazos County Emergency Communications District is pleased to announce the availability of Text to 9-1-1 service in Brazos County.
This includes the cities of Bryan, College Station, Wixon Valley, and Kurten in addition to all unincorporated areas of the County.
The ability to send a text message to 9-1-1 is an enhancement to our existing 9-1-1 system and will provide direct access to 9-1-1 services for individuals with a hearing or speech impairment.
Additionally, it offers an alternate method of requesting help in situations where an individual’s safety might be compromised by speaking out loud, such as an active shooter, domestic violence, home invasion, or abduction.
Text to 9-1-1 tips:
– Don’t text and drive!
– Send your location and type of emergency
– Use plain language and avoid abbreviations and slang
– Photos & videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time
– Do not include 9-1-1 as part of a group text
– Only text 9-1-1 when you are unable to make a voice call
Text-to-911 service is not available everywhere, and is subject to the same limitations and challenges as all wireless calls.
If you are in an area that does not accept text to 9-1-1 requests, you will receive a bounce back message from the wireless provider asking you to call 9-1-1 for help.
At this time, you can only send a text to 9-1-1 from a phone with an active data plan using the Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, or T-Mobile wireless networks.
The Brazos Valley COG deployed Text to 9-1-1 service earlier this year in Burleson, Grimes, Leon, Madison, Robertson, and Washington counties.