Text-to-9-1-1

Text-to-9-1-1 is a service for emergency situations when calling 9-1-1 is not possible. AT&T, Sprint, Verizon, T-Mobile and MetroPCS customers are able to take advantage of this feature. 

Text-to-9-1-1 service provides equal access to emergency services for residents with hearing and speech disabilities. However, our clear message is "Call if you can, Text if you can't" Texting is not a replacement for calling  9-1-1; whenever possible, people should always call 9-1-1 instead of texting. 
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Tips to  Text-to-9-1-1


  • The first text message to 9-1-1 should be simply contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed
  • Text in simple words - do not use abbreviations. Keep it short and to the point!
  •  When using Text-to-9-1-1, your cell phone connects to the closest cell tower. The cell tower location is then sent to 9-1-1. This means we will know the area you are texting from but not the exact location.
  • A text or data plan is required to place a text-to-9-1-1
  • If texting to 9-1-1 is not available in your area, you will receive a message indicating that texting 9-1-1 is not available and to contact 9-1-1 by other means.
  • When texting 9-1-1, you cannot include other contacts in the same message. 
  • Do not text and drive!