Emergency services via sms for the deaf

The Belgian emergency services will from February 15 be accessible via sms for the deaf, hearing impaired and those with a speech impediment. In the future, this option may be extended to the general population.

The option to contact emergency services via a mobile text message was approved by parliament in 2011 but was never launched. MPs Jef Van den Bergh and Koen Metsu requested an update on the progress from interior minister Jan Jambon, who confirmed that the measure is ready to be implemented.

“Good news for the approximately 400,000 people in our country who are deaf, have a hearing impairment or have a speech disability,” said Van den Bergh (CD&V). “In a first phase, the target group will have to register and receive a specific number to contact.”

If initial evaluations of the system judge it to be appropriate, the service could be opened up to the general public. “Registration, however, would remain advisable,” said Metsu (N-VA). “Emergency requests via sms should remain exceptional, otherwise it could endanger the efficient processing of requests.”

Currently, about one-third of calls to emergency services are unnecessary. The purpose is to avoid a similar trend in sms requests.