Mobile users in Orange County now have the ability to send text messages to 9-1-1, giving hearing and speech impaired residents, or those in situations where it is too dangerous to dial 9-1-1, a potentially life-saving option. This new tool is available to the public using a mobile phone or device. The location services on the mobile device must be enabled.
Watch this short video to learn more:
Text 9-1-1
Guidelines
Below are guidelines for how to text to 9-1-1:
- Enter the numbers "911" in the text "To" field.
- The first text message to 9-1-1 should contain the location and brief description of the emergency and the type of help needed (police, fire, ambulance).
- Push the "Send" button.
- Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 text taker.
- Text in simple words. Do not use abbreviations, emojis, or slang.
- Keep text messages brief and concise.
Federal Communications Commission
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provides additional details on contacting 911 via text in an emergency:
- If you can, always contact 911 by making a voice call, "Call if you can…text if you can't."
- If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech disabled, and Text-to-911 is not available, use a TTY or telecommunications relay service, if available.
- Location accuracy varies by carrier and should not be relied upon. Be prepared to give your location.
- Text-to-911 service will not be available if the wireless carrier cannot ascertain a location of the device sending the message.
- Text-to-911 is not available if you are roaming.
- A text or data plan is required to place a text to 911.
- Photos and videos cannot be sent to 911. They cannot be received at the 911 call center at this time.
- Text-to-911 cannot be sent to more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 911.
- Text must be in English. There is currently no language interpretation for text available. It remains in development.