Franklin County residents, including those on Ohio State’s campus, can now send emergency text messages to 911 dispatchers. The Ohio State University joins public safety partners from throughout the county in supporting this new safety technology. However, officials urge everyone to reserve texting as a last resort.
“If a person has the choice between calling or texting 911 centers throughout Franklin County, please call if you can and text if you can’t,” said Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown, who chairs the county-wide 911 Planning Committee. “Calling is better than texting because emergency dispatchers can get more immediate answers to questions from callers, listen for distress in voices, and learn background information that could assist first responders in a potentially life-threatening emergency.”
Text-to-911 works on cell phones, tablets and other text messaging enabled devices. Always dial 911 if you can and inform dispatchers if you are located on Ohio State’s campus.