Emergency SMS

eroo

http://www.psni.police.uk/index/support/emergency_sms_text_service.htm

It is not possible to send a text message to 999. To get round this problem, the PSNI has created a number specifically for text messages which will assist people with hearing or speech difficulties to contact the police in an emergency.

I wonder could something like this be introduced here in the South, or is there anything like this already in place?

donvito99

Yes, there ws a debate on this a couple of days ago on Joe Duffy (;)), dont see how this couldnt be brought in here ASAP.

Also, have the PSNI changed the look of their website??

deadwood

It wl nvr ctch on. mrgnc srvcs h8 txt spk.

eroo

deadwood wrote: »

It wl nvr ctch on. mrgnc srvcs h8 txt spk.

omg lol gtfoh

Vorsprung

Strikes me as something that would be abused by the less thoughtful side of society!

eroo

bigjimthefirst wrote: »

Strikes me as something that would be abused by the less thoughtful side of society!

You have to register your details to the PSNI, so that possibility would almost be eliminated.

Random

I think it'd be a great idea. Very simple and straight forward for them to setup too I would say.

alentejo

I would caution about having an SMS 112/999 service. Granted, it could certain sections of society such as persons with a hearing impairment.

However, emergency operators typically require information such as location information, reason for assistance, any information which might be required by the attending crews. A TXT message could give very misleading information and could potentially cause the emergency services to be overwhelmed with useless information.

SMS by its nature can take time to be received and is not guaranteed to be delivered to its recipient, so there are issues with its resilience.

Random

I would see SMS as an alternative when a call is not possible or practical for whatever reason. I would still prefer the calls I guess to ensure that my true emergency is clear.

SMS is handy though if in an area of low coverage or intermittant coverage maybe. Easier to get a text out then conduct a phone conversation. Just one example.

eroo

alentejo wrote: »

However, emergency operators typically require information such as location information, reason for assistance, any information which might be required by the attending crews. A TXT message could give very misleading information and could potentially cause the emergency services to be overwhelmed with useless information.

As I said, a person must register their details(name, address etc) as well as their medical/physical conditions. When they send a txt, the details on the database pop up when searched for. This means the attending crews can be given background information, as well as any other received, on the person.

deadwood

H ouch!
E ouch!
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p ouch!

ouch!

I ouch!
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v ouch!
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ouch!

b ouch!
r ouch!
o ouch!
k ouch!
e ouch!
n nouch!

ouch!

m ouch!
y ouch!

ouch!

t ouch!
h ouch!
u ouch!
m ouch!
b ouch!

eroo

Simply switch hands!