MACON, Mo. — A new 911 program is saving lives in Macon County and Knox County.
'Prepared Live' allows dispatchers to text callers who call 911 in case it isn't safe for them to speak.
The dispatchers are also allowed to send a link to the callers' phone number which will give them access to the front and rear cameras on the cell phone.
They are only allowed to access the camera if the link is clicked and opened.
Macon County 911 tells KTVO that some instances they use this program are when there is an attempted burglary, assault or kidnapping. They also use it to communicate with someone who has suffered a medical emergency and can't speak or a deaf person.
Michael Kindle, the Director of Macon County 911, told KTVO that he has seen this new program save lives already.
"There's also sometimes that we receive a hang-up call and we were able to text message and it was a live emergency," Kindle said. "They were not able to speak at that time and law enforcement was dispatched and was able to make an arrest at that location and actually save someone."
For more information on the 'Prepared Live' program, click here.