PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. – The Calvert County Board of County Commissioners applauds Gov. Larry Hogan’s announcement that the state Board of Public Works approved a new contract providing Maryland residents the option to text 911 in an emergency. It is important to note, however, the technology and infrastructure required to implement texting to 911 is not yet available in Calvert County. All citizens are reminded to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
Texting to 911, like any new service, will take some time to implement. There are several issues that must be addressed before all 24 primary 911 call centers in Maryland will be able to receive and process their first 911 text message. These include, but are not limited to, training telecommunicators (dispatchers), installing equipment within 911 centers and notification to the cellular carriers that each 911 center is ready and prepared to receive 911 text messages. Likewise, neighboring jurisdictions must discuss their implementation plans to ensure they can seamlessly operate together.
During implementation and rollout, some jurisdictions may have the service while others will not. Currently Frederick County is the only county in Maryland that can receive 911 messages via text and has been doing so since 2013 as part of pilot project to evaluate the technology.
For more information regarding texting to 911 in Calvert County, contact 911 Emergency Communications Chief Yvette A. Myers at 410-535-3491. Learn more about Calvert County Emergency Communications by visiting online.