911 service to add texting in 2014

A system that would allow people to text 911 to report an emergency in New Brunswick is to be established by the end of 2014.

Supt. Marlene Snowman of Codiac RCMP in Moncton says allowing people to text 911 as well as use their land line or cell phone is part of keeping up with technology.

"It's just becoming engaged with how technology has changed and how social media haschanged our lives. That really means how we do business and provide emergency services as well," said Snowman.

Snowman said the provincial government wants the six 911 centres in the province to be offering the service by the end of next year.

"Part of that would be to incorporate text messaging from specifically those who are hearing impaired and then perhaps after that be more widespread so that the general public could text message into the 911 centre," she said.

Snowman said people who are hearing impaired will be the first to benefit from the new system.

"If we talk about the hearing impaired, it will be those people that have certain types of special needs and disabilities to be able to reach an emergency service in a method that actually works for them."

Snowman said in the future, Facebook or Twitter may also be used to contact 911.