By Shannin Prather
July 2021 | 2021 Summer Newsletter
Calling 9-1-1 in an emergency is the preferred and fastest way to request police, fire, or medical assistance. However, if a person in distress during an emergency cannot call or speak to a dispatcher, texting is another option to get help.
Text to 9-1-1 is intended primarily for use in three emergency situations:
- For an individual who is deaf, hard-of-hearing or has a speech disability
- For someone who is in a situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 9-1-1
- For a medical emergency that renders the person incapable of speech
How to text 9-1-1 in an emergency:
1. Enter the numbers 911 (no dashes or spaces) in the “To” field
2. The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief. Include an address, city, and type of emergency (police, fire or medical)
3. Push the “Send” button
4. Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the Public Safety Dispatcher
5. Text in simple words – do not use abbreviations
6. Keep text messages brief and concise
Keep in mind that dispatchers cannot track your location when you use a cell phone to communicate with 9-1-1. It is very important to know the address of your emergency or that you describe the location using streets and landmarks, such as “the parking lot of Safeway on Hamilton Avenue, by Citibank.”