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Presenter explains texting 911 is available; callers still urged to call 911
Summary
A presenter explained that text-to-911 is available as an emergency option — introduced around 2018 — and is intended for situations when callers cannot speak; the presenter said usage remains low.
Moderator asked, “Did you know you can actually text 911?” The presenter responded that texting 911 is available as an emergency option but that calling 911 remains the preferred method when possible.
The presenter said the text-to-911 capability was rolled out in about 2018 and described situations where it provides a critical alternative, such as when someone cannot safely make a voice call. “Texting was introduced, the ability to text to 911 in about 2018,” the presenter said, adding that the feature is useful if “someone is unable to have a voice conversation” or is hiding from an assailant and needs to communicate silently. The presenter also said, “I want to be able to text silently,” to emphasize that texting can help people who are hiding or who cannot speak aloud.
The presenter noted the service’s limited public uptake, saying that “our numbers continue to still be very low on the number of texts that… we get.” No specific data or follow-up steps were provided in the exchange.
Why it matters: Text-to-911 gives people a way to contact emergency services when speaking is unsafe or impossible, but officials and communicators continue to encourage calling 911 whenever it is safe to do so because voice calls allow dispatchers to ask questions and give instructions. The exchange did not record any changes in policy or implementation details beyond the presenter’s description.
