Emergency number 911 has helped and saved many people since its establishment in the United States. Emergency hotline 911 was created to provide immediate assistance and response to emergencies such as medical emergencies, accidents, fires, natural disasters, and crimes. The idea of an emergency number was first introduced in London in 1937, where a unique telephone number (999) was assigned for emergency calls. However, it was only in 1968 that the United States adopted 911 as the national emergency number.
Since then, the 911 system has evolved and improved significantly. With technological advancements, emergency calls can now be traced to their location through caller ID and GPS tracking. These features enhanced emergency services and response time for assisting. More services were added to the 911 system in the following years, including the text-to-911 and TTY for people with speech or hearing impairments. These advancements have made it easier for everyone to reach emergency services, regardless of their communication abilities.
Here are eleven steps to text 911 in an emergency
1. Check the availability of Text-to-911 in your area
Text-to-911 is not available in all states. Although it is constantly updated and expanded, it is best to check its availability in your area beforehand.
2. Enter “911” in the “To” field of your text message
Launch your native SMS application and enter 9-1-1, like any other phone number.
3. Compose a text with the location of the emergency and the nature of the emergency
Please compose a text to 911 describing the nature of the emergency you are currently experiencing. If time permits, kindly include the following details:
- Type of Emergency – Please provide details regarding injuries, the presence of weapons, or any active scenes such as fires. Including as much information as possible in your initial message will save time, prevent your phone screen from repeatedly lighting up while you’re hiding, and potentially conserve your phone’s battery.
- Your Location – When providing your location to 911, including the address and any nearby landmarks is essential. It cannot be assumed that the 911 operator will have immediate access to your cellphone’s location. Not all 911 responders have the necessary equipment for tracing. Therefore, it is often through your communication that 911 knows where you are. Be sure to provide detailed information about your specific location.
- Type of Help or Assistance You Need – This helps 911 operators identify and prioritize your need for assistance. Their response will be based on the information you provide.
- If You Need Police, Fire, or Ambulance Services – Please specify what emergency services you require so that the appropriate units can respond.
4. Press “Send” to send your message to 911
After you have finished composing your message, press “Send.” If the 911 service is available in your area, the text will be sent to a public safety answering point (PSAP). This is where trained emergency responders receive and respond to your text messages.
5. Provide additional information as requested by the 911 operator
Sometimes, the 911 operator may ask you for further information to understand the situation better and provide appropriate assistance. Please respond promptly and accurately to their queries.
6. Follow any instructions given by the 911 operator
The 911 operator may provide instructions on keeping yourself safe while waiting for emergency services to arrive. It is vital to follow instructions from the 911 operator carefully.
7. Keep your messages concise and use plain language—avoid slang, abbreviations, and emojis
It is crucial to ensure that the information provided is clear and concise. Avoid using abbreviations, emojis, and slang to avoid confusion and being tagged as spam. 8. Do not send photos or videos.
Text-to-911 services are currently limited to text messages only. Sending photos or videos can overload the system and hinder emergency responders from receiving vital information promptly.
9. Do not text and drive.
Texting while driving is dangerous and illegal. If you need to send a text during an emergency, pull over to a safe location before texting 911.
10. If Text-to-911 is not available, use a voice call to contact 911 instead
Making a voice call to 911 is the best option for areas where text-to-911 is unavailable during emergencies. Voice calls are more reliable and efficient during such situations.
11. Voice calls to 911 are generally more effective than texts in an emergency.
Use text-to-911 only when you are not able to make a call. Voice calls to 911 are still the most effective communication method with emergency services.
What Happens When You Text 911?
After sending a text-to-911, the operator will typically try to contact you by calling or texting back unless you have explicitly requested otherwise. If you can respond, they will inquire about any additional information regarding the emergency that may be necessary, and they can also guide you on administering basic first aid to any victims so that you can offer assistance.
In cases where text-to-911 service is unavailable in your area, your mobile network provider will promptly send a bounce-back message instructing you to contact emergency services through alternative means.
Treating texting emergency services with the same seriousness as making a phone call to 911 is essential. Engaging in frivolous or prank messages to emergency responders carries the same legal consequences as if you had made a call.
Read more about SMS bot and how automated text message replies work.
When Should You Text 911?
Texting 911 should only be used when immediate assistance is required in emergencies. Some instances when texting 911 is recommended include:
- Unsafe to talk – Texting 911 must be made when you are in a situation where it is unsafe to speak. Some instances include domestic violence, robbery, active shooting incidents, and others.
- Speech or hearing impairment – When an individual has speech and hearing impairment and TTY is unavailable, text-to-911 is recommended.
- Poor Signal for Calls – Texting 911 can be done during weather emergencies or in a remote location where the signal is intermittent and does not allow calls to 911.
- Lines are Busy – Texting 911 is also recommended when you cannot call the emergency number because the lines are busy. You can text your emergency and wait for operators to call you to confirm or ask for more details about your situation.
Pranks, false alerts and misuse of the emergency system can lead to severe consequences and is considered a criminal offense. Calling or texting 911 for false alerts can overload the system and delay help dispatch to real emergencies. Penalties range from fines to imprisonment, depending on the jurisdiction and severity of the offense.
What are the Areas Where Text to 911 is Available?
According to the FCC, wireless carriers must transmit text-to-911 messages to requesting emergency call centers. Each call center has the discretion to implement its plan for accepting these messages. To determine if call centers in your area support text-to-911, you can download the monthly updated FCC registry as an Excel spreadsheet. If you use a Mac, you can also open it with Pages. With hundreds of entries, you can effortlessly search for your jurisdiction to find where to send 911 texts.
If you’re interested in knowing which states do not currently support text-to-911, it may be simpler to consider the opposite — the states where you cannot text 911. As of May 29, 2020, the following states are not listed in the FCC registry of areas that support text-to-911:
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Connecticut
- Hawaii
- Indiana
- Missouri
- New Jersey
- North Carolina and South Carolina
- Rhode Island (although the state will reportedly have this feature by June 2020)
- Tennessee
To ensure that texting 911 is available in your area, reviewing the updated Excel sheet provided by the FCC for each state’s multiple jurisdictions is crucial. This will give the most accurate confirmation.
What Happens When You Text 911 in an Unsupported Area?
Not all locations and mobile devices support the text-to-911 system. If your area does not support texting 911, you will receive an immediate bounce-back message informing you that the message sending has failed. The FCC mandates carriers to send this message if texting 911 is unavailable in your area. These messages aim to minimize the risk of mistakenly believing that your text was successfully sent to 911 when it still needs to be delivered. Should you receive a bounce-back message, it is essential to call 911 instead of using SMS to text 911.
Even if text-to-911 is available in your area, calling 911 remains the most dependable method to establish contact.
Is it Possible to Send a Message even though the 911 Number is a Landline?
Yes. It is possible to send a message to 911, even if it is a landline number. The 911 system introduced text-to-911 to cater to individuals who cannot make voice calls due to certain medical conditions, physical disabilities, or when a voice call poses an immediate danger. As long as you have a cellular connection and are within range of your mobile provider’s network, you can text 911.
Read more about landline number and how you can send and receive text messages using this service.
Is it Possible to Send a Message to 911 Anonymously?
No. Text-to-911 requires a mobile phone registered to your name and an active cellular connection. Emergency services will know your identity when you text 911 as if you made a voice call. This is necessary for the safety of responders and to ensure that false reports or pranks can be traced back to the sender. Anonymous messages sent to 911 can be considered service misuse and carry legal consequences.
What are the Advantages of Texting with 911?
Since the introduction of text-to-911, emergency responders have observed numerous advantages associated with this mode of communication. Let’s explore the benefits of texting 911:
- If you are unable to speak – In situations where your life or physical safety is at risk, and you wish to avoid alerting an abuser or intruder, it is recommended to send a text message to 911 instead of making a phone call. This method ensures your communication with emergency services while maintaining secrecy.
- Accessible communication – In a weather emergency, phone lines can become congested, making it difficult to reach an operator. However, SMS messages are often more likely to be delivered during such instances. Therefore, texting 911 could be your most effective means of establishing contact with an operator.
- Remote areas – If you are in a sparsely populated region with limited phone service, calling or staying connected long enough to explain your emergency can be challenging. However, text messages can be a valuable alternative, allowing you to convey all necessary information promptly and effectively.
- Deaf or hard of hearing – Many people often wonder about the methods deaf individuals use to call 911. While the FCC recommends using TTY for the deaf or hard of hearing, texting 911 can be a viable option if it is available in your area and aligns with your preference.
What are the Disadvantages of Using Texting with 911?
Texting 911 should be reserved for situations where no other options are available. While it can serve as a lifeline in certain circumstances, utilizing it as a last resort is advisable when calling is not feasible. Here are some drawbacks to consider when texting 911:
- Limited phone support – Remember that text-to-911 is only available on platforms that support SMS messaging with U.S. numbers. If you’re using an app that allows messaging, like Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp, you won’t be able to text 911 through those apps.
- Limited resources at call centers – One of the challenges of implementing text-to-911 is the availability of trained personnel at all call centers to handle emergencies through text. Text-to-911 program is relatively new and it is not yet widely used as the 911 voice calls for emergencies.
- Communication Challenges – Autocorrect mishaps have likely tripped you up enough times to understand the difficulty of conveying complex information via text message. These challenges become even more pronounced during emergencies when time is of the essence, and clear thinking may be compromised. Opting for a phone call can often be a faster and more efficient communication method than struggling with typing out a text message.
- Limited availability by state – While text-to-911 services have made significant progress, some areas still need to be available.
Can You Text a Photo or Video of My Emergency?
No. It is not advisable to send photos and videos of your emergency when texting 911. This is due to a few reasons:
- Limited capabilities at call centers – Most 911 call centers need the technology or resources to receive and process multimedia messages effectively. Sometimes, these photos and videos may not even reach the intended recipient.
- Possible security risks and privacy concerns – Sending photos or videos of your emergency can pose a potential security risk.
- Not necessary – Emergency responders are trained to act based on the information provided through text messages or phone calls and do not require visual aids. Providing accurate and concise information through text can be more efficient in most cases.
Read more about multimedia messaging and MMS Definition.
Can You Text 911 if You Can’t Talk?
Yes. You can text 911 from your mobile devices if you find yourself in an emergency and have no other option but to use text messaging. Texting 911 can be a life-saving option if it is unsafe to talk if you are a person with speech and hearing impairment or when getting a call to 911 is impossible.