The Fire service for a major UK city has selected Text-Connect™ to aid the provision of free Home Fire Safety checks to members of the deaf and hard of hearing community.

The program aims to promote fire safety in the home. Research shows that you are four times more likely to survive a fire at your home if a working smoke alarm is fitted.

However conventional smoke alarms are often unsuitable for deaf and hard of hearing people who need specialised alarms using flashing lights or vibrating pads positioned to wake the occupant while sleeping.

Text-Connect™ gives deaf or hard of hearing home owners an easy way to contact the Fire Service via a dedicated 'text-number'. Requests for a Free Home Fire Safety check are sent by text message to the number and incoming texts are automatically forwarded as emails to the Fire services Safety Check team for action.

The '2 way' nature of the system makes it easy to confirm back with a text message the time and date of the appointment and to check with the home owner if a British Sign Language (BSL) interpreter should accompany the inspector.

Text messages are quick and easy to draft on computer and are delivered back to the home owner almost instantly. A record of of all communication is available for reference and several members of the team can read and send messages at the same time.

Text messaging has proved a valuable way of communicating between the office based team and inspectors in the field. Appointment changes or alerts are quick to distribute to inspectors by text messages using the Text-Connect™ system.

No additional hardware or software was required for the Fire service to start using Text-Connect™ and the systems intuitive operation and on screen help meant no formal staff training was required. Users find the system VERY easy to use.

Text-Connect™ gives the Fire Service:

• A cost effective way of improving access to it's Free Home Fire Safety check programme.
• Quick and easy '2 way' communication with the deaf and hard of hearing community for the organisation.
• An improved service through better communication, including the ability to confirm the need for BSL interpreters prior to a home inspection.
• Reduced costs from missed appointments.
• Increased flexibility in managing appointments and field based inspectors.