MCLENNAN COUNTY 9-1-1 SYSTEM UPGRADED TO ACCOMMODATE TEXT MESSAGING
Voice Calls to 9-1-1 are still the Best and Fastest Way to Get Help
The McLennan County 9-1-1 Emergency Assistance District has implemented Text to 9-1-1 services for all of McLennan County. The four major wireless carriers (AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon) have implemented the technology and their customers can now send a text (up to 140 characters) to 9-1-1 in an emergency. Text to 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency situation and only when placing a voice call is not possible. “Call if you can — text if you can’t” is the slogan currently being utilized in McLennan County and other communities across the country that have implemented the service.
McLennan County 9-1-1 will initiate a public education campaign to inform citizens about this new feature and the proper use of text to 9-1-1. The primary benefit will be improved access for deaf, hard of hearing, and people who can not speak.
Citizens who find themselves in an emergency situation and unable to make a voice call to 9-1-1 should remember these steps:
- Do not text and drive.
- Text location information is not equal to current location technology.
- When sending a text to 911, do not include dashes or any other special characters.
- In the first text message send the location and type of emergency.
- Text in simple words- Do not use abbreviations or slang.
- Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
- Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time
- Text to 9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1
- Voice calls to 9-1-1 are always the best and fastest way to get help
While Text to 9-1-1 service is available throughout McLennan County, it may not be available once you leave McLennan County and, like wireless coverage gaps, could be impacted by service availability. If you do not receive a text response from the 9-1-1 operator, make a voice call.
