Columbus announced a new Text-2-911 tool that will be able to translate as many as 55 languages.
鈥淭his tool is invaluable for interacting with non-English speakers, people with disabilities, people with hearing or speech impairments, as well as those who may be unable to communicate verbally due to background noise or safety considerations,鈥� said Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther. 鈥淲e know that in an emergency, every second counts. Removing communication barriers will help our emergency responders.鈥�
The software auto-detects the language of an incoming text and translates for dispatchers, then translates back to those contacting them. Some major carriers will only translate languages with Latin-based characters, while AT&T supports translation in all 55 languages.
Abdi Soofe, Columbus' New American program coordinator, called the new software 鈥渇ast, seamless, and easy to use.鈥�
鈥淚t opens a door to better communications and better response to community members in need during an emergency,鈥� Soofe said. 鈥淓veryone in our community should be comfortable calling for help when they are in need or have a loved one in need."
Ginther acknowledged that some people have said they do not feel comfortable contacting 911 because they don't speak English or were not born in the U.S. He said that under a city executive order he signed in 2017, Columbus does not use any city resources to detain anyone based on immigration status.
鈥淚 want everyone to know that language, citizenship or immigration status will not stop you from getting the help you need,鈥� Ginther said.
The new 911 software will also give emergency responders the opportunity to see feed from a caller's phone, with that person's permission. Ginther said that feature can provide 鈥渃ritical context鈥� to first responders, especially in situations like car accidents or fires.
Either the caller or the 911 dispatcher can end the video link at any time, and once the video is ended, it can鈥檛 be restarted by either party, according to Ken Coontz, the administrator for Columbus鈥� Division of Support.
Columbus started using the new software from Intrado on April 9. It's part of a $1.5 million five-year contract for all of the city's software and hardware for 911 calls.
Last year, Columbus鈥� emergency communications center personnel were contacted 1,412,355 times by phone, including 671,341 911 calls, 709,381 non-emergency calls and 31,633 text messages.
