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Emergency Dispatch To Accommodate Text Messages

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Aug 11, 2008 9:28 pm US/Central

Emergency Dispatch To Accommodate Text Messages

FORT WORTH (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ― For Tammy Payne, dispatching is her life. "This is something that gets in our blood," said Payne.

Payne has been at the Weatherford Police Department for more than a decade. "Some days you can go for 8 hours and nothing," she said. "Then in 5 minutes you can have every emergency known to man."

In the next two years, Payne says her job will be much easier thanks to Next Generation 911. It will allow you to text message your emergency.

"That becomes very handy if you are in a domestic or school violence situation - anything where there is a hostage and you can't really speak and still remain safe," said Christy Williams, North Central Texas Council of Governments.

The NCTCOG covers most cities in the 14 counties that surround the Dallas Fort Worth area. They're gearing up for the change, but since they operate on analog technology, they're having to upgrade.

"If we are going to keep up with technology and the demands of our public and keep them safe we have to move in this direction," said Williams.

Along with text messages, people will also be able send photos to 911 dispatchers. Payne said pictures will make a huge difference.

"We will be able to see if someone is scared and they can't talk and they give us the information we can see it and give the information to officers," she said.

The price tag to upgrade will cost between $6 to 9 million.

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