How to Send a Text Message to 911 (Emergency Services)

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posted on 10 years ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Hopefully, you will never be in a situation where you need to call 911. However, emergencies do happen. Sometimes, a phone call to 911 is not an option. You may be in a dangerous situation where an aggressor would hear you making a call. You may also be d/Deaf or hard of hearing. In many parts of the USA, texts to 911 are now a legitimate option over a phone call. A phone call is usually preferred, as the dispatcher can ask for necessary information immediately. If you need to, however, text your emergency to 911.

Things You Should Know

Text-to-911 is not available in all locations.
If you try sending a text to 911 in an area where the service isn't available, you'll receive a bounce-back message from your carrier.
You can only text 911 from your phone's standard messaging app, not WhatsApp or other chat apps.

Texting 911

Check with your local 911 center to see if texting is available in your area. Sending a text message to 911 is a relatively new technology. In most areas, you are unable to text 911 and must call. You can call your local police department/911 center using the ten-digit non-emergency number to see if you can text 911 in your area. You can find the number for your local 911 center in the yellow pages or online. If it's an emergency and you don't have time to check, simply try texting 911. You will receive a bounce-back text if the technology is not yet available in your area.

Compose your message. To start, you'll have to compose your message. Keep your message brief and to the point to avoid going over the standard text message limit, which is usually 160 characters of text. You should also avoid using slang, as this puts you at risk of having your text misunderstood. Include which service you need, where you need that service, and why you need that service. For example, "Need ambulance at the corner of Sunset and Western due to car accident." If you do not know your precise location, list roads, landmarks, and other clues that could help emergency services find you. For example, something like, "By a theater called Hilton's, somewhere on the west side of town." Try to include all the information right away. A dispatcher will want to get services to you as quickly as possible, so do not withhold necessary information like an address, if you have one.

Learn the limitations of a 911 text. Even in an area where a text can go through, texts to 911 have certain limitations. Understand these limitations before attempting to text 911. You cannot send photos, videos, or other media to 911 via text. All you can include are letters or numbers. You have to be in range of your cell phone's tower to text 911 in some situations. Texts to 911 may not go through if you're roaming.

Send your message to 911. Once you've composed your message, you can send it to 911. To do so, simply type in "911" in the address line. Then, hit "send." You send a text to 911 as you would send any other text on your phone. You simply have "911" listed as the recipient of the text.

Respond to any requests for more information. If your area can respond to texts to 911, you should get a response from a dispatcher. If you included all the necessary information, he or she will alert you emergency services are on the way. If further information is needed, the dispatcher will request it via text. Text back as soon as you receive a response.

Watch for bounce-back texts. The FCC requires that all wireless carriers and other text message providers send out what are called "bounce back texts" if your area is not equipped to respond to 911 texts. This is to prevent customers from mistakenly thinking of emergency services areas on the way if a text fails to go through. A bounce-back text will come seconds after you text 911. It will inform you to call emergency services through other means.

Other Options

Call 911. In the event you receive a bounce-back text, calling is always the best option. This is the quickest and easiest way to get in touch with a 911 dispatcher and receive necessary emergency services. However, if you're texting 911, you may be unable to call for a variety of reasons. In this case, you have other options. A voice call is your best option for contacting emergency services. Texts are not always read right away and, if you accidentally leave out information, a back-and-forth exchange can take a while. Even if you're in an area where texting 911 is an option, only use it when calling 911 is not possible.

Ask someone else to call. If possible, ask someone else to call 911. You could ask a friend or family member to do so if you're hard of hearing, for example. If you're unable to talk due to a medical emergency, try to write down that you need someone to call 911 if possible.

Text someone else to call 911. You may be texting 911 because you are in a situation where an aggressor is nearby. You do not want him or her to know you're reaching out to emergency services. In this case, you can text someone else to text 911. As you would do when texting 911, let this other person know the nature of the emergency. Tell them where you are, what services you need, and why you need them. For example, you could text a friend, "Uber driver took me way off track, is becoming aggressive, we're on Highway 101 heading north near exit 43, call the police."