911 text service now available in N.L.

Newfoundland and Labrador is the lastprovince in Canada to introduce the ability for people to text 911 in an emergency.

The service was officially introduced Fridaymorning at the Alt Hotel in St. John's, with provincial cabinet ministers and the executive director of the non-profitNL911corporationwhich launched theT911serviceon hand.

To use it, though, people will need to register their mobile phones with their service providers. Users can either visit www.textwith911.ca or the website of their service provider. The provincial government is encouraging people tocheck with their cell service providers to make sure their phones are compatible.

"We're delighted to launch this service today. This is an important step in ensuring that Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to help in an emergency, and was made possible with assistance from our many community partners and associations," said Kerry Power, NL911's executive director, in a press release this morning.

In the statement, Marie Ryan, chair of the Provincial Advisory Council for the Inclusion of Persons of Disabilities, said having a hearing or speech impairment shouldn't prevent someone from accessing a vital service like 911.

"The implementation of T911 provides the enhancement needed to ensure individuals with these types of disabilities have equitable access to a potentially life-saving service.

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