Next Generation 911 comes to Greater Sudbury police

A new 911 system in Sudbury will make calling for help easier for some people with disabilities — and it doesn't involve calling at all. 

Next generation 911 gives people who are hard of hearing or unable to use a telephone the ability to text message a 911 emergency, but they must first sign up for the service, said Sudbury police officer John Somerset.

Somerset told CBC News police services across the country are being mandated to use the new system.

"It allows us to be more accessible to people who require 911 services," he said.

"Not everyone has the ability to speak to access 911. This certainly allows them to do so."

The system will also improve the speed at which information can be gathered from a call, such as the person's location.

"We will be notified if they are texting us and ... we will have an interaction with them via text messages from our communications department and we'll be able to send the emergency services that they require," Somerset said.

Sudbury police expect to have the new system working by the end of the month.