Text to 9-1-1

Text-to-9-1-1 is an option that may be helpful for those who are deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or anyone who might be unsafe if they were to be heard by an intruder or abusive partner.

 To text-to-9-1-1 in an emergency: 

• Open the text messaging program on your cell phone
• Create a new message
• Enter the numbers 911 in the "To" field
• Send the address/location of the emergency – and the type of emergency help needed – police, fire, or medical – in the first message
• Keep text messages brief and concise.
• Type complete words, no abbreviation
• Stay with your phone and be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from  9-1-1 call takers

Please note that text-to-911 can only receive text, not pictures, videos or emojis.  You should also be aware:

• Text-to-911 can be slower than making a voice call.
• The system can only respond to texts in English.
• Text-to-9-1-1 is not for anonymous tips.  
• Texts to 9-1-1 are treated like all other 911 calls, and are not given priority over other calls.