Text to 911

• Text to 911 is intended primarily for use in three emergency scenarios:
  
  

1. For an individual who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, or has a speech disability
2. For someone who is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 911
3. A medical emergency that renders the person incapable of speech

• ONLY text 911 in an emergency. Prank-texters can be identified and possibly prosecuted according to local laws and regulations.

• Enter the numbers “9-1-1” in the “To” or “Recipient” field
• The first text to 911 should be short, include the location of the emergency, and ask for police, fire, or ambulance<
• Answer questions and follow instructions from the 911 call taker
• Text in simple words – no abbreviations, slang, emojis, or special characters
• Keep text messages short as messages exceeding 160 characters may be broken and delivered out of order

• Text to 911 is not available everywhere and is not always available when roaming
• You must subscribe to your wireless carrier’s text or data plan in order to make or receive text messages. Unlike voice calls to 911, you cannot send a text message to 911 without a service plan
• Text messaging apps that only support texting with other app users or texting via social media are not required to support text to 911
• If Text to 911 is not available in your area, or is temporarily unavailable, you should receive a message indicating that Text to 911 is not available and to contact 911 by other means

• If you include anyone else on your Text to 911, it may not be received by 911
• Text GPS location information is not equal to current wireless location technology
• Voice calls are real-time communication and Text to 911 is not
• Pictures or videos cannot be received by 911 at this time
• Translation services are not available for Text to 911; please text in English or place a voice call when translation services are necessary