Slashdot Mirror


Verizon To Begin Offering "Text To 911" Service

An anonymous reader writes "In a move that will likely elicit a 'why didn't they implement that sooner?' response, Verizon in the next 12 months will begin implementing a 'text to 911' feature that, as the name implies, will enable users contact 911 operators via text message to report an emergency. The feature will be particularly helpful for the hearing and/or speech impaired, and for folks who find themselves in dangerous situations where making a voice 911 call isn't advisable. Beginning in early 2013, Verizon will start rolling out the feature in various metropolitan areas before progressing to a nationwide rollout soon thereafter. In many respects, this move has been a long time coming, and something the FCC has been championing for a few years."

11 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Great for reports of traffic accidents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    Now, instead of getting multiple phone calls about a traffic accident, the dispatcher can much more quickly ignore the duplicates.

    This is an ideal way of sending information when you want to report that you saw something that may need their attention, but you personally don't need a response.

    Yep. Now we can have people texting 911 about accidents caused by texting while driving potentially causing more accidents in the process.

    There's an Xzibit reference in there somewhere...

  2. OMG by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    help sum dood is trying 2 rob teh bankz rotf

  3. New emergency line response... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "What is your OMG?"

  4. Re:Hope Springs Eternal by erroneus · · Score: 4, Funny

    I dno. Les aks'm

  5. Re:Indeed! by Sancho · · Score: 5, Funny

    lol popo omw

  6. Re:Great for reports of traffic accidents by DanTheStone · · Score: 3, Funny

    When you're sitting in stopped traffic due to an accident, there's not much harm in texting.

  7. Future sample message by Scareduck · · Score: 4, Funny

    As suggested by a Facebook friend, Jordan Elliot:

    "OMG! thrs lik sum GUY ty 2 brake into my house! DAFUQ!?!? LOL PLS HLP!!!"

    --

    Dog is my co-pilot.

  8. Re:Great for reports of traffic accidents by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I'm waiting to hear about the new type of multi-accident pile-up.
    911, what's your emergency?
    I was texting 911 about an accident when I had an accident.
    911, what's your emergency?
    I was texting 911 about an accident caused by the guy texting 911 about an accident when I had an accident.
    911, what's your emergency?
    I was texting 911 about an accident caused by the guy texting 911 about an accident caused by the guy texting 911 about an accident when I had an accident.

  9. Re:Hope Springs Eternal by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    User: theres a hijacker on the plane
    Cop: Don't you mean "there's"?
    User: thats what your worried about? cant you send help?
    Cop: I'm sorry, sir. I can't help you.

  10. Soon... by wmspider · · Score: 5, Funny

    Fire - exclamation mark - fire - exclamation mark - help me - exclamation mark. Looking forward to hearing from you. Yours truly, ...

  11. Re:Getting details could be a problem by LMacG · · Score: 4, Funny

    Looks like this one didn't get over the ...

    (sunglasses)

    sar-chasm.

    YEAHHHHHHHHH

    --
    Slightly disreputable, albeit gregarious