Frederick County taking steps to allow people to text emergencies to 911

Frederick County says it's becoming the first jurisdiction in Maryland where people can send text messages to 911.

 

County officials are announcing the service for Verizon Wireless customers at a briefing Thursday afternoon in Frederick.

 

They say texting is important for people who may be unable to make emergency telephone calls to 911.

 

Frederick is home to the main campus of the Maryland School for the Deaf. County officials say that was a factor in their decision to offer the service.

 

The service is already available to some residents of Alabama, Iowa and Vermont.

 

The Federal Communications Commission says the nation's four largest wireless carriers have agreed to relay text messages to 911 call centers equipped for the service by May 2014.