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News Release
 
Text to 9-1-1 Service Launches in Grosse Pointe Farms
 
- Call when you can; Text when you can’t. -
 
Grosse Pointe Farms, Mich. — Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Dispatch and Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (PFN) announce that Grosse Pointe Farms residents will have access to emergency text messages from wireless devices to 9-1-1. Beginning Tuesday, November 30, 2021 individuals anywhere in the Grosse Pointes and Harper Woods will be able to send a text message to 9-1-1 in an emergency.
 
“We are pleased that we are able to launch this service in Grosse Pointe Farms,” said Deputy Director John Hutchins. “Calling and speaking with a dispatcher is still the best way of reaching emergency services, but that is not always an option.”
 
Texting to 9-1-1 is a critical service that will benefit anyone who is not able to speak due to an emergency such as a home invasion or an abusive partner. It is also intended to help individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability. It can also be a benefit in areas where wireless service is limited.
 
“Please remember to Call when you can; Text when you can’t”, said Deputy Director John Hutchins. There are a few important tips to remember when texting to 9-1-1. Send brief messages without using abbreviations or slang. Be prepared to communicate your exact location and the emergency help that is needed. Stay with your wireless device and be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 dispatcher.
 
Grosse Pointe Farms Public Safety Dispatch has been working with Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC (PFN) to bring Next Generation 911 services to Grosse Pointe Farms. Peninsula Fiber has worked closely with the Grosse Pointe Farms Pubic Safety Dispatch to implement a system that is capable of supporting new technologies such as texting to 911. The 911 network is designed to be fully redundant, resilient and survivable as defined by the latest FCC guidelines.
 
Peninsula Fiber Network, LLC is a joint venture between Baraga Telephone Company in Baraga Michigan and Hiawatha Communications Incorporated in Munising Michigan. The company provides wholesale and retail transport services, voice and high-speed broadband internet transit throughout the Michigan and Wisconsin.