Texting In Emergencies

Texting is the communication tool of the future. We already know how popular it is with teens and young adults, and as they get older, they will certainly continue to use text messaging as their communication tool of choice. And you can bet that, as current and future entrepreneurs, they will figure out how to use this technology to efficiently communicate in every area of life.

Imagine having the capability to text an emergency message to the nearest 911 center. This could be especially helpful in emergency situations where the "caller" cannot talk, whether due to injury or even a hostage or kidnapping situation. There are people working out this technology right now. One example is Houston, Texas.

In an on-line article at www.khou.com, officials in Harris County discuss their plans for this capability. "'We're working to make sure you can call with any kind of phone device in the very near future,' said Sonya Clauson, Greater Harris County 911 Emergency Network....It's still a few years away, but the funding is now in place to create a system that will allow you to send an emergency text message to the closest 911 center."

Houston's mayor, Bill White, is also quoted as saying, "We'll be able to grow and meet the needs of a growing community without radio congestion."

This is exactly why communities, emergency management agencies, and first responders, especially in rural areas, should start integrating text messaging into their emergency response protocols. They can save time, reach more people, and free up radio frequencies for those responders who really need those channels open.

CME is up for the challenge of finding ways text messaging can benefit you. We can help you design your emergency communication response to include text messaging. It's time to embrace this technology because it's not going away anytime soon!