Soon, you'll be able to text 911

ANNAPOLIS - Getting help in an emergency is about to get even easier thanks to an initiative spearheaded by the Maryland State Police.

The Board of Public works recently approved the Maryland State Police’s purchase of a Next Generation 911 system that allows users to use modern technology such as texting, email and video to contact 911.  The new system also promises to increase response times, route emergency calls more quickly, and improve outcomes for people during emergencies.

"It is alarming to think that if there is an emergency there is no current way for someone to text or download information to a 9-1-1 call center," said Delegate Zucker, a co-sponsor of the bill. Next Generation 911 is an initiative to upgrade the 9-1-1 system to allow modern communication technologies to be used. Statistically more than 70% of all 9-1-1 emergency calls are conducted through a wireless phone.

"By taking these important steps, we can ensure that Maryland continues to be a national leader in public safety and that we take full advantage of 21st century technologies to coordinate emergency responses," added Delegate Zucker.

This legislation passed both the House of Delegates and the Senate unanimously, and will take full effect on October 1, 2012.