Va. County Offers Text-to-911 Service

An emergency communications center in York County, Va., began offering text-to-911 service Monday, according to APCO International.

The York-Poquoson-Williamsburg Emergency Communications Center launched the service with Verizon Wireless and Telecommunications Systems, Inc. (TCS).

The communications center worked closely with Verizon Wireless and TCS to offer short message service (SMS) text-to-911 capability to seek emergency assistance when making a voice call to 911 is not an option. This service will be available to Verizon Wireless customers within range of a York County, Poquoson, or Williamsburg cell towers.

The York County text-to-911 deployment is the first in the nation to use the Verizon Wireless solution, and will serve as a model for other PSAPs across the country.