9-1-1 emergency texting in Montgomery County

EAGLEVILLE, Pa. -- You can now get help in an emergency by texting 9-1-1 in Montgomery County.

County Commissioners launched it's new text service today and showed how it works this morning.

It will allow those who have hearing or speaking disabilities, or people who can't speak because of danger or an injury, to be able to communicate with a 9-1-1 dispatcher.

Commissioner Josh Shapiro explained today Montgomery County is the only county in our region using this text system.

"You have to be within our country, within where the towers are within our county, I should point out, the other counties are working on this technology, we've been working with them."

Officials say while the 9-1-1 texting system is a useful tool in certain situations, an actual call for help is preferred.