South Okanagan-Similkameen expected to move forward with enhanced 911 service

PENTICTON – The South Okanagan-Similkameen regional district board is expected to move forward with implementation of service upgrades to the emergency 911 service.

Members of the board were favourable to endorsing implementation of the first phase of “next generation” 9-1-1 service, meant to improve emergency communications for mobile wireless users.

The new services encompass not only voice messaging, but data messages using text, images and video as well.

The texting portion of the service, known as T911, is ready for launch in the South Okanagan and Similkameen on Sept. 21. The launch date is being coordinated with a similar implementation of service in the Central Okanagan Regional District.

It is anticipated that seven other regional districts will also launch T911 service on the same date

T911 communication is expected to assist 911 usage by deaf, deaf and blind, hard of hearing and speech impaired residents.

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