‘CALL if you can. TEXT if you can’t.’ Uintah Basin Communications has announced that Duchesne, Uintah, and Daggett County residents can now text 9-1-1 for help in an emergency. The press announcement from the Duchesne County Sheriff’s Office explains that speaking directly with a 9-1-1 dispatcher is still the best and fastest way to get help in an emergency or to report a crime in progress but for those times when you cannot call, texting is now an option. “Texting 9-1-1 gives emergency dispatchers the capability to communicate with citizens who find themselves in a position where they are unable to call 9-1-1 because doing so might expose the caller to greater danger,” shares the announcement. “Cases of abuse, burglary, robbery, or even an active shooter situation have been successfully reported across the country by callers who have been able to text 9-1-1 without tipping off a suspect. This new feature will also benefit the hearing impaired residents of the Uintah Basin.” The service covers all cities as well as unincorporated areas of the three counties. When using the 9-1-1 texting option, keep the first message brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed. After pushing ‘Send’ be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the dispatcher. Always use simple words and do not use abbreviations. An important thing to note is to always include the location of your emergency because text location information is not equal to current location technology.
