Tedesco: Bergen County Dispatch Center Adds 911 Texting

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Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco has announced the implementation of a new countywide 911 emergency texting system as a shared service through the Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center.

“When in an emergency, communication is critical and calling 911 is still the best way to get help,” said County Executive Tedesco, a firefighter for more than 40 years. “But being able to text 911 gives residents another option to contact the police and first responders. We are always looking for new and innovative ways to keep the public safe and to improve emergency communications. Considering the number of people who text as a main source of communication, this new option is a great addition to the County’s public safety communications network.”

911 Texting is part of a statewide, collaborative initiative spearheaded by the New Jersey Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services. As a shared service, the Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center will handle 911 texts for all 70 Bergen County municipalities. The new texting service will provide the public with an alternative means of contact in unusually dangerous circumstances, or in the event that a relay service for the disabled is unavailable.

Texting to 911 may be especially useful in situations where a potential victim is afraid of being overheard or if they are trapped in their home or workplace by an intruder. In addition to County dispatch services and the new 911 text service, the Bergen County Public Safety Operations Center handles police, fire and EMS calls for other public safety agencies.

The following New Jersey Office of Emergency Telecommunication Services link provides additional information on 911 texting: http://www.nj.gov/911/home/textto911v2.html