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RNID calls for help to test a national emergency SMS text service - 18 September 2009

RNID is calling for people who are deaf or have a hearing loss to sign up to a national pilot scheme which allows people to SMS 999 for help from their mobile phones.

The new initiative allows users to send a text to 999, which will then get converted into a call to the emergency call centres. This means that caller ID and location information are available to the emergency service in the same way as for other calls.

The scheme is being supported by the Government, emergency services, Ofcom, the telecommunications sector (Vodafone, Orange, O2, Three, British Telecom and Cable and Wireless), and RNID. T-Mobile will be joining the scheme at the end of September.

Guido Gybels RNID’s Director of Technology said: "Access to 999 could literally be a matter of life and death, yet until now many people who are deaf or hard of hearing have found themselves unable to contact the emergency services while on the move.

"This pilot service therefore represents a major step forward and we hope that as many people with hearing loss as possible will register and take part. In doing so, they will help to make sure the best possible service is developed."

To register, text the word 'register' to 999. Then follow the instructions you receive. Or register online at www.emergencysms.org.uk (external link)

The pilot will be a live, fully operational national service from September to late November, and people have been able to register since 14 September 2009. People can register at any time until the end of the pilot.

The service cannot be used from abroad, and will only work with the phone that has been registered.

Media contact:

Siobhan Sheerin at RNID on 020 7296 8229 or siobhan.sheerin@rnid.org.uk

Notes for editors:

The service covers Police, Ambulance, Fire and Rescue and Coastguard services
It will typically take about 2 minutes before the first reply is received. If users don’t get a reply within 3 minutes they are advised to try again or find other ways of getting help.
RNID is the largest charity working to change the world for the nine million people in the UK who are deaf or hard of hearing. We do this with the help of our members by campaigning and lobbying, raising awareness of deafness and hearing loss, providing services and through social, medical and technical research.
For more information about RNID visit www.rnid.org.uk (external link), contact RNID's Information Line on 0808 808 0123 (freephone) or 0808 808 9000 (textphone) or email information@rnid.org.uk
RNID is proud to be The Co-operative Charity of the Year for 2009. As part of the partnership, we are encouraging everyone to check their hearing – visit www.rnid.org.uk/hearingmatters (external link)

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