The goal is to provide texting to 9-1-1 capability to the residents who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability, as well as others who need to use text in emergency situations.

Can I send a text to 9-1-1?

Texting to 9-1-1 is not available in most areas. The 9-1-1 industry is committed to working with wireless carriers and the FCC to implement text-to-9-1-1 throughout the country in the next few years. You may check with your local 9-1-1 center or the FCC website to see if it is available in your area.

Limitations

• Location inaccuracies - It is critical that you know your location. Many people assume that exact location coordinates are automatically sent to 9-1-1 Centers. While this may be true for most wireline phones, 9-1-1 centers cannot always identify your location if you’re contacting us from a cell phone. Location accuracy can be even worse when texting than it is for voice calls. So, just like when you call 9-1-1 from a cell phone, you need to be able to describe WHERE you are so we can send you help.
• Texts to 9-1-1 cannot include photos, video, emoticons or other multimedia elements.
• 9-1-1 Centers will not be able to transfer Text to 9-1-1 calls to outside service providers such as crisis lines.
• Do not send your message to multiple people in a group text, because this will stop the message from reaching a 9-1-1 Center.
• FPlease text in English. At this time, language interpreting service isn’t available for Text to 9-1-1. 9-1-1 dispatchers will do their best to assist you if you aren’t able to text in English.