Kerr Emergency 9-1-1 Network - Hearing Impaired

Heaing Impaired and Non-English 9-1-1 User Information

What if a 9-1-1 caller is deaf, or hearing/speech impaired?
Our communication center has special text telephones for responding to 9-1-1 calls from deaf or hearing/speech impaired callers.

If a caller uses TTY/TDD, the caller should:

Stay calm, place the phone receiver into the TTY, call 9-1-1.
After the call is answered, press the TTY keys several times. This may help shorten the time necessary to respond to the call.
Give the call taker time to connect their TTY. If necessary, press the keys of the TTY again.
Tell what is needed-police, fire department or ambulance. Give your name, phone number, and address where help is needed.
Stay on the telephone if it is safe. Answer the call taker's questions.

If a deaf or hearing/speech impaired caller doesn't have a TTY/TDD, the caller should:

Call 9-1-1 and don't hang up. Not hanging up leaves the line open. With most 9-1-1 calls, the caller's address is displayed on the call taker's screen and police will be sent.

What if a 9-1-1 caller doesn't speak English?

When necessary, the 9-1-1 call taker can add an interpreter from the AT&T Language Line service, which offers translation in more than 140 different languages.
A non-English speaking caller may hear a short conversation in English and some clicking sounds as an interpreter is added to the 9-1-1 call.