If you cannot make voice calls, you can now contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone. This is going to be particularly useful for those needing 999 assistance in remote areas when mobile reception is poor and there is not enough signal to make a call.” This can be beneficial for you and your family in both your work for emergency planning and your personal life. Please brief staff to register for the service now, not to wait for an emergency. To register, text ‘register’ to 999. You will get a reply; then follow the instructions you are sent. This will only take approx two minutes of your time and could save your life! The service, which is run with the Government’s support by the major mobile phone providers and the fire, police and ambulance services, was initially set up for people with hearing difficulties and those unable to communicate by talking

This could be very useful to me. Can you give any links to official press releases or similar? How did you become aware of this?

I wasn't aware that sending an SMS message was possible in areas of poor mobile reception? And if I am lying bleeding, I really really don't want to be reliant on my very slow and often inaccurate SMS messaging. Knowing my luck it will be my index finger that will be lying severed beside my cooling body cause I couldn't send the message! Our contractors are being provided with a map showing known areas of poor mobile phone reception (freely available from the major networks...) The project area is almost all poor or non-existent sugnal strength. The contractors have been told they need to make appropriate provision for emergency communications - some are opting for satellite devices, others are arranging mobile mast upgrade for specific areas, others are trialling handheld 2 way radio systems.... All are suited to some locations, none seem to meet all needs. And it's always worth remembering that the mobile companies insist their networks may not be relied upon for emergency comms.... Trying to duck liability I guess. So if you are reliant on them.... and can't get through - they will say "it was in the small print"..... Steve

Ooops sorry Phil - you are entirely right, the systems have limitations, and the companies do record this in their websites. Apologies for any offense caused or misunderstanding I may have caused. My comment was intended partly tongue in cheek - but also a 'thought provoker' for anyone who assumes (as many seem to do) that a mobile 'phone solves all lone worker problems.... How many poeple read the small print or disclaimers in their new mobile phone instruction booklets? Steve

Does anyone remember what we used to do before mobile phones became fashionable? It's only about 15 years ago???? What about the old telephone kiosk? Are they not available any more? I know when you're climbing mountains you won't find one but surely there must be a public telephone finder service available?

Don't forget this is an additional service for those who can't speak or hear, it is not a replacement, nor is it designed for industry. It is also key to point out in a Major Emergency that involves a element of terrorist threat the mobile phone networks will be switched off, or even just get overloaded!!! This means no voice calls, no text and NO FACEBOOK arghhhhhhh (p.s. is their a 999 facebook / twitter feed yet?) When on a COMAH site our emergency plans always prepared for loss of the mobile phone network as it not reliable!