November 30, 2018

St. John’s, NL ― NL911 has launched a province-wide Text with 911 (T911) service for persons in Newfoundland and Labrador who are Deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing, and those who have trouble communicating. Today, Kerry Power, Executive Director of NL911, was joined by the Honourable Graham Letto, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment; and the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Advanced Education, Skills and Labour on behalf of the Honourable Lisa Dempster, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development and Minister Responsible for the Status of Persons with Disabilities, for a detailed presentation on how the service works. Following the presentation, representatives from NL911 answered questions and assisted attendees with registering their mobile phones for the T911 service.

During an emergency, T911 ensures that 911 Call Takers can communicate quickly and clearly with persons who are Deaf, late-deafened, hard of hearing and those who have trouble communicating, by using wireless text messaging (SMS). To avail of this life-saving service, T911 users must register their mobile phone with their service provider. To register, users can visit their cellular service provider’s website directly, or simply visit www.textwith911.ca and click Registration.

Note: Some older cell phones may not be compatible with T911. If you are not sure, contact your cellular service provider to verify your phone can be registered. For more information, please visit: www.NL911.ca/our-initiatives/text-with-911.

Quotes:

“We’re delighted to launch this service today. This is an important step in ensuring that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to help in an emergency, and was made possible with assistance from our many community partners and associations.”

Kerry Power Executive Director, NL911

About NL911:

NL911 is a not-for-profit corporation established through the Emergency 911 Act. Their mandate is to establish, implement and operate a province-wide emergency 911 telephone service. NL911 is responsible for ensuring the service protects personal information, provides accurate and current information to primary and secondary PSAPs, integrates civic addressing when available, is efficient, cost-effective and flexible and responsive to changing technologies. In addition to this mandate, a commitment was also made for NL911 to explore and implement a more advanced NG911 service. Their vision is to improve public safety by providing and developing 911 systems that will enhance emergency response services for the province.