The Board of Commissioners unveiled a new technology that makes the Camden County Communications Center one of the first 911 Call Centers in New Jersey to have the ability to accept text messaging. The county has collaborated with the state Office of Emergency Telecommunications Services as well as wireless telephone providers to make Text-to-911 a reality.
Residents who may have difficulty making a phone call in an emergency situation can text 911 and receive follow up texts from the county communications center. It is also useful if you have texting capabilities but not phone reception. This service, which works like a regular texting thread, is received in the radio room by a public safety telecommunicator and dispatched once contact has been made.
Nevertheless, as popular as texting is for standard communication today the Camden County Department of Public Safety is asking that anyone that can use a phone to call should always make that a priority and text only if you are unable to speak to a dispatcher. Call 9-1-1- if you can, text if you can’t.