Picente: Oneida County Residents Can Now Text 911

Oneida County Emergency Services Is Now Employing New Technology To Allow For Texting.

On Wednesday County Executive Anthony J. Picente, Jr. announced a new service where people can text 911 to alert the nature of an emergency and its location.

County Executive Picente said “When we began our consolidation of a countywide 911 system we had in mind these very advances. The goal was to create a system that was more efficient while leveraging the best practices and technologies available.”

People with AT&T and Verizon will have access to the new feature, but only text messages – not video or photo – will be accepted at this time.

Picente went on to say “We will continue to improve upon our countywide 911 system as it continues to be a model for consolidation and government efficiencies and shared services statewide. Today, because of our action to realign how government approaches 911 services, the people of Oneida County are safer and more secure.”

“While a voice call to 911 is always preferred, in certain circumstances a text to 911 may be safer or more practical; specifically for persons with hearing or speech limitations,” said Director of Emergency Services, Kevin Revere.

Revere said there may be a delay in the transmission of the emergency, so a voice call is still the preferred method. Most importantly, do not text and drive, Revere added.  However, if text is the chosen method, people should remember to be brief, concise, but without abbreviations.

The County Executive and Emergency Services Director were joined in support by Natalie Brown Executive Director of the YWCA of the Mohawk Valley, Gene Hughes, Director of Advocacy and Dianna Ellis-Sorrento, Director of Development, from the Resource Center for Independent Living and Shain Drews on behalf of AT&T.