Texting 911 Getting Mixed Reviews

Just days after the chair of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced how Next Generation 911 (NG911) will benefits to citizens, a pair of comm centers on opposite sides of the country are taking different views of the new technology. Julius Genachowski announced how the FCC intends to move to a nationwide 911 network during this week’s annual conference of the Association of Public Safety Communications Officials (APCO) in Philadelphia. His talk to the group included that NG911 would allow citizens to text message to emergency comm centers, and to send photo, videos and other media. Perhaps coincidentally, Durham (NC) began a test of 911 text messaging on Aug. 3 using Verizon Wireless. The city intends to test how well text messaging works, including speed of message delivery. However, at almost the same time, San Mateo County officials are hesitant to immediately rely on text messaging. Jaime Young, public safety communications director for the county told a reporter that he prefer to, “learn from others so we’re not on the leading edge.” Sheriff Greg Munks echoed those comments, saying text messaging might have long-term benefits, but added, “We have a ways to go before we can make the transition as an industry.” Read more of the San Mateo story here.