Texting to 9-1-1? We're working on it, says city police

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE POLICE SERVICE

In January 2013, the Canadian Radio-Television Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced enhancements to 9-1-1 to enable deaf, hard of hearing and/or speech impaired (DHHSI) members of the community to communicate with 9-1-1 centres via text messaging.

As of March 18, 2014 members of the DHHSI Community have the opportunity to register their cell phones with their wireless service providers in preparation for texting to 9-1-1, commonly referred to as T911.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service, which is responsible for the management of the 9-1-1 service in the City of Sault Ste Marie and the immediate surrounding area, wishes to advise the public that T911 is not yet available in the Sault and will only be once various network upgrades are completed.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service has been working with its partners since the CRTC announcement in order to perform the needed upgrades and is committed to providing continued quality 9-1-1 service to Sault Ste Marie residents.

Additional information on T911 as well as service availability can be found at WWW.textwith911.ca

Residents who are not members of the DHHSI community are reminded that voice calling remains the only manner in which they can contact 9-1-1. TTY services remain the best option for the DHHSI community to reach 9-1-1.

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