Texting 911: A Way to Get Help Without Speaking

Texting 911 allows people to contact emergency services when they cannot speak. This service can save lives in situations where speaking out loud is not possible or safe. It is especially important for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or have speech disabilities. It also helps people in dangerous situations, like a home invasion or domestic violence, where making a voice call could put them at risk.

Knowing how and when to use this service can make a big difference in an emergency. It is important to understand how to use Text-to-911 correctly so that emergency responders can help you as quickly as possible.

When to Use Text-to-911

You should use Text-to-911 in the following situations:

• If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and need emergency help
• If you cannot speak because of a medical condition or injury
• If speaking out loud would put you in danger, such as during a home invasion, abduction, or domestic violence

If you can make a voice call to 911, it is better to do so. Text-to-911 should only be used when speaking is not possible or safe.

Tips for Texting 911

Follow these tips to make sure emergency responders can help you quickly:

• Stay calm
• Know your location
  • You will need to tell the dispatcher where to send help because your location will not appear on their screen
• Use simple words
  • Avoid using abbreviations, slang or emojis
• Keep the text conversation open until the dispatcher says it is OK to end it
• Silence your phone if you do not want to be heard

How Text-to-911 Works

Text-to-911 works through wireless phone providers and a special system that sends your message to the Willamette Valley Communications Center. This center connects your text to the right emergency responders.

Videos

Text-To-911: Call if You Can, Text if You Can't (English)

Texto-A-911: Llame si puede, envíe un texto, si no (Español)

Text-To-911: American Sign Language

Where Text-To-911 is Available

The Willamette Valley Communications Center law enforcement agencies which will make the service available to their residents include:

• Dallas Police Department
• Falls City 911 Answering Center
• Gervais Police Department
• Grand Ronde Tribal Police
• Independence Police Department
• Keizer Police Department
• Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office
• Marion County Sheriff’s Office
• Newport Police Department
• Polk County Sheriff’s Office
• Salem Police Department

The service will also be available to the following fire and ambulance service agencies:

• Central Coast Fire & Ambulance
• Dallas Fire Department
• Depoe Bay Rural Fire Protection District
• Falls City Fire Department
• Keizer Rural Fire Protection District
• Marion County Rural Fire Protection District #1
• Newport Fire Department
• Pacific West Ambulance
• Polk County Rural Fire Protection District #1
• Salem Fire Department
• Salem Suburban Rural Fire Protection District
• Seal Rock Rural Fire Protection District
• Siletz Valley Rural Fire Protection District
• South Lincoln Ambulance
• Southwest Polk Rural Fire Protection District
• Spring Valley Rural Fire Protection District
• Yachats Rural Fire Protection District

Remember: Call if You Can, Text if You Can’t

Text-to-911 is a lifesaving tool for people who cannot speak during an emergency. Knowing when and how to use it can help you or someone else get the help they need.