UNITED STATES — As public-safety agencies expand their next generation technologies, the ability to text-to-911 directly is becoming available to more Americans everyday.
We all know calling 911 is the best way to reach help in an emergency situation, but if you can’t call or talk, you might be able to text. First available in 2014, police stations across America have begun rolling out Text-to-911, a program that lets people in trouble send a message in place of a call. Now it doesn’t matter if you can’t make any noise because you don’t want to be discovered by an intruder, have a disability that prevents communicating with the operator, or have poor cell reception and can’t get a voice call out, Text-to-911 is an important tool to keep in mind during an emergency.
Here’s what you need to know if you ever have to text 911 for help, including tips from the FCC:
What is Text-to-911?
Text-to-911 allows you to send a text message, just like the ones you use to talk to friends and loved ones, to your local emergency responders.
Do I need to do anything special to send a text to 911?
No. You simply need to create a new text message in your phone’s messaging app, enter 911 as the recipient, type your message and press send.
Should I text a photo of the situation around me?
No. The messaging systems that operators use aren’t like our phones, and can’t receive group messages, photos, or videos. To make sure the operator will understand your message, don’t use emoji or any shorthand abbreviations. Spell everything out.
Does Text-to-911 work where I live?
The FCC keeps track of the various jurisdictions throughout the US that work with Text-to-911 in a list that is updated once a month, and is available as an Excel spreadsheet — so it’s searchable and you can find your city or county with just a few clicks.
What kind of information should I include when texting the police?
With the operator relying solely on what you send in the text message, try to include as much information as possible in your first message. Some operators will receive your location with the first text message, while other operators may not get that information, depending on their equipment.
For that reason, it’s a good idea to include your location along with any nearby intersections and the name of the building, park or business that you’re at. Additionally, say what the situation is, if anyone is hurt, if there are any weapons, and so on.
Try to include as much information as possible in a single message to save time and to keep from having to repeatedly light up your phone’s screen in a situation where you’re trying to hide.
An example of a useful text message would be: “Help, someone broke in my house at 123 main street. I’m hiding in the closet upstairs, can’t talk on the phone.”
According to the Pueblo County Sheriffs Office, it’s not uncommon for emergency operators to respond to the first text message they receive asking for the person to call if it’s at all possible. Including the fact that you can’t make a voice call in your first message could eliminate extra messages between you and the operator, saving valuable time.
What happens if your message isn’t delivered?
If you’re in an area where Text-to-911 isn’t available, you’ll receive an FCC-required bounce-back message letting you know that you need to call 911. Depending on the situation, if you have time, send a message to 911 and to a backup emergency contact in case Text-to-911 isn’t available. Your contact may be able to reach authorities for you.
How do I find out more about Text-to-911 where I live?
If you have more questions, the FCC is a great resource for more information about Text-to-911. Text-to-911 is only currently available in certain locations. The FCC encourages emergency call centers to begin accepting texts, but it is up to each call center to decide the particular method in which to implement and deploy text-to-911 technology.
FCC rules require all wireless carriers and other providers of text messaging applications in the United States to deliver emergency texts to call centers that request them. If a call center requests text-to-911 service, text messaging providers must deliver the service in that area within six months.
To check to see if the 911 call center in your area supports text-to-911, download their list of areas supporting available service, which should be updated monthly. But even in areas where call centers accept text-to-911, existing voice-based 911 service is still the most reliable and preferred method of contact.
TL/DR? Remember: Text-to-911 is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 emergency call takers from your mobile phone or device. However, because voice calls to 911 provide more information to 911 call centers, you should always make a voice call to 911 during an emergency whenever possible.
Have you ever used text-to-911? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the technology in our comment section below!
North Region Communication Center 