Can you Text 911?

Reasons to Text 911

When emergencies arise, calling 911 is typically the fastest way to convey vital information. However, there are several scenarios where texting 911 proves advantageous.

Accessability and Discresion

Texting 911 offers an essential communication lifeline for individuals with hearing or speech impairments. By enabling text communication, these individuals can easily and effectively reach first responders during emergencies. Additionally, texting offers a discreet way to seek help in situations where speaking aloud could escalate the danger, such as during a break-in or domestic violence incident.

Noisy Environments

Making a voice call can be impractical in loud and chaotic settings. Texting allows you to send clear, concise information about your location, the nature of the emergency, and other critical details without needing to be understood over noise.

Connection Reliability

Texting can be particularly reliable in areas with weak cell service or during incidents where phone lines are overwhelmed. In these scenarios, a text message might reach emergency services when a call cannot, offering a crucial line of communication.

While calling 911 remains the preferred method of emergency communication due to the immediacy of voice interaction, texting 911 serves as an invaluable alternative in specific, often urgent situations.

Understanding Text-to-911

In 2014, the U.S. rolled out its Text-to-911 campaign, allowing those needing emergency assistance to send an SMS to emergency responders. Despite the national rollout, it’s important to note that texting isn’t available everywhere. Use this guide to understand when, where, and how you should text 911 when a phone call isn’t an option. Not all states allow texting 911, and this should be considered first before trying.

To understand Text-to-911, we need to look at who receives the public’s emergency text messages. Across the United States, there are 911 call centers. At these locations, 911 call takers receive and respond to emergency calls and texts. Call takers gather information about emergencies and then start dispatching public safety personnel like Fire Suppression, Emergency Medical Services, or Law Enforcement. With that in mind, what information does a call taker need? What should be included in an emergency text message?

What should be in an emergency text message?

Emergency services need as many details as possible to mobilize, especially if lives are at risk.  To effectively use text-to-911, it is important to include three key pieces of information in your emergency text message, as highlighted by the City of Denver’s Department of Public Safety:

1. Send your text to 911 without including spaces or dashes. Only input the numbers.

2. The LOCATION is of utmost importance. Regardless of the severity of the incident, sharing your precise location enables public safety officials to locate and assess the situation swiftly.

3. Provide a SUMMARY of the situation. This helps call takers quickly understand the nature of the emergency and take appropriate action.

Numerous states across the United States are currently in the progressive stages of implementing text-to-911 services within their jurisdictions. These states include Alabama, Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, Vermont, Alaska, Indiana, Missouri, Oklahoma, Virginia, Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Oregon, Washington, California, Kansas, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Colorado, Kentucky, Nevada, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Florida, Louisiana, New Jersey, South Dakota, Wyoming, Georgia, Maryland, New York, Tennessee, Hawaii, Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, Idaho, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Utah.

It is worth noting that the availability of text-to-911 services varies across different counties within these states. Therefore, searching by your specific address, city, or county is recommended to determine whether the county you reside in currently supports text-to-911 functionality. It is essential to remain updated since the areas offering this service are subject to change.

Remember to verify if text-to-911 is supported in your area for a more comprehensive approach, as availability can vary between counties. Use clear language to facilitate better understanding and avoid abbreviations, emojis, or slang. Include essential information about the emergency, such as the type of assistance required, any injuries, the number of people involved, or hazards present. Be prepared for follow-up questions from emergency operators and remain calm and patient, understanding that text-to-911 may not provide an immediate response. Lastly, reserve text-to-911 solely for true emergencies, refraining from sending non-emergency messages or testing the service.  Just remember that Rhode Island and New Mexico do not allow texting 911.

What happens next?

911 Call takers, upon receiving an emergency text message will respond to the initial text with more questions. Responses to these questions help the call taker gather the necessary information about the emergency so that they can then relay it to the responding public safety officials.

When you send a text to 911, the process of communication with emergency services is initiated immediately. Here’s what typically happens:

• A confirmation message: Shortly after your text is sent, you should receive an automated reply. This message confirms that your text has been received and may provide further instructions or outline the limitations of texting 911. It’s essential to read this message carefully to understand the next steps or any additional information required.

• Interaction with a dispatcher: Your initial message is routed to a 911 dispatcher, who plays a crucial role in the emergency response. The dispatcher will read your text and may ask for more details about the situation. When responding to these messages and communicating with the call taker, it’s important to remember to:

  • Remain attentive to the conversation.
  • Avoid using slang or abbreviations, which can lead to misunderstandings.
  • Provide concise and clear details, as the call takers aren’t present at the emergency location and cannot always intuit what is happening.

• Response and assistance: Emergency responders are dispatched to your location based on the information you provide. The dispatcher may also give instructions or guidance to help you manage the situation until help arrives.

Throughout this process, it’s crucial not to delete the conversation with 911 or turn your phone off until the call taker informs you that it’s okay to do so. Keeping the line open and the conversation accessible ensures that you can receive any further instructions and that the dispatcher can update you on the status of the emergency response.

With the above information we’ve established who is involved in Text-to-911, and some of the rules for how to send text messages to 911 call centers. Yet, the FCC and call centers state that they do prefer that members of the public call in emergencies rather than texting. So, who should send emergency text messages instead of calling?

Who should text instead of call?

• Someone who is deaf, hard of hearing or has a speech disability.
• Someone who is in a remote location that does not have a good enough signal to sustain a voice call but can send a text message.
• Someone who fears that making a voice call will endanger themself or compromise their safety.
• When the capacity of cellular service is overwhelmed but it may be possible to send a text instead of a voice call. 

Where is Text-to-911 available?

Text-to-911 is available in an increasing number of places across the United States, but it is still not present everywhere. The FCC provides a spreadsheet listing the call centers that utilize Text-to-911. Check it out to see if your area’s 911 call center can receive and send emergency text messages.

Based on the information available, there are two states that currently do not support text-to-911 in any of their counties: New Mexico and Rhode Island.

What if my area doesn’t have Text-to-911?

If you send an emergency text message to your area’s 911 call center, but they don’t have Text-to-911 available, you’ll receive a message in return that tells you that the service is unavailable. This is called a bounce back and it is required by the FCC so that someone can know if their emergency message was received or not. This person will need to call 911 to communicate their emergency. 

Conclusion

Text-to-911 is a simple way for you to connect with a local 911 call center to report an emergency. While 911 call centers prefer for the public to call in, texting is still a relevant option that should be used when calling is not possible or appropriate. If you do end up needing to send a text message to 911, it’s important to remember a couple essential items: Write your location in the body of your message. If you can, sending at least the location of your incident will allow public safety officials to find the emergency. And if the situation permits, stay attentive to the text conversation with the 911 call taker. This will help public safety get the information they need. Following these two steps can make all the difference in the world.

Remember, if you can’t call in an emergency, know that Text-to-911 could save someone’s life.