By Vi Lam
April 2023 | 2023 Spring Newsletter
Calling 911 is the preferred and fastest way to get help in an emergency. However, in Santa Clara County (SCC), a person can also text to 911 dispatchers.
Texting 911 is ideal for:
- Individuals who have hearing loss or speech difficulties
- Situations where it is not safe to make a voice call to 911
- Medical emergencies that make speech impossible
To text, simply enter the numbers 911 (no dashes or spaces) in the “To” field. The message should include the address and type of emergency (police, fire or medical). Then push the “Send” button. Be prepared to answer text questions from the dispatcher. Messages should be simple, brief, and not include abbreviations.
Dispatchers cannot track your location when you use your cell phone. It is very important to know the address of your emergency or be able to describe the location using streets and landmarks, such as “the Safeway parking lot on Hamilton Avenue, by Citibank.”
For medical emergencies, do not hesitate to call 911, especially in a potentially life-threatening situation. No fees are charged for contacting 911 unless you are transported by an ambulance. The responding fire department will have paramedics who can help decide if you need to be transported to the hospital.
The SCC Fire Department offers free medical emergency training classes and other informational courses. Visit sccfd.org/education-and-preparedness-overview/safety-information-referral-assistance/9-1-1-emergency/ for information on 911 procedures.