Motorola Solutions Announces The Use of Text to 911 in S.C.
Motorola Solutions, Inc. announces the successful implementation of an Advanced 9-1-1 text-to-911 solution giving callers a new method to contact emergency services in Kershaw County, South Carolina, when voice calling is not an option.
Today, less than 4 percent of dispatch centers in the country are prepared to receive text-to-911, making Kershaw County a leader in the adoption of this new technology.
Some key facts:
• Serving a population of over 62,500 people, Kershaw County is the first agency in South Carolina to implement a fully integrated text-to-911 solution, which enables better communications between first responders and the community, including the hard-of-hearing, speech-impaired and Deaf populations.
• Text-to-911 gives the community a way to reach help when a phone call is not practical such as when the caller is hearing or speech impaired, when a medical emergency renders the person incapable of speech or when speaking out loud would put the caller in danger.
• The Kershaw County 911 dispatchers receive more than 100,000 calls for assistance each year and provide dispatch for one county sheriff department, one emergency medical services (EMS) department, three police departments and 17 fire departments.
• Motorola Solutions’ continued collaboration with Intrado, a highly respected leader in the development and deployment of emergency 911 response solutions and services, in Kershaw County and elsewhere provides the tools to help dispatch centers adopt the next phase of next-generation 911 (NG911) to better protect their communities.
Kirk Stropes, deputy director, E-911 Communications, Kershaw County said: “The implementation of Motorola Solutions’ text-to-911 application was by far the most seamless project I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of during the 36 years I’ve been in public safety. We are always striving to bring the best solutions to Kershaw County, and this 911 solution upgrade will provide citizens with a new way to contact emergency services when voice calling is not available.”
Tom Guthrie, vice president, Smart Public Safety Solutions, Motorola Solutions, said: “Motorola Solutions’ incorporation of text-to-911 capabilities in South Carolina provides Kershaw County with an important component of a NG911 solution, ensuring faster response times while continuing to efficiently meet the needs of emergency callers. Our continued work with Intrado has put us in a position to develop and offer the best premium technology, so our customers can respond quickly and efficiently to emergency callers.”
About Motorola Solutions Motorola Solutions creates innovative, mission-critical communication solutions and services that help public safety and commercial customers build safer cities and thriving communities.
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