Call if you can. Text if you can't.
Voice calls remain the fastest, most reliable way to reach 911. Voice gives us your location and lets dispatchers ask follow-up questions in real time. But when calling isn't safe or possible — text us.
Text-to-911
Text-to-911
If you can't speak — because of an emergency, disability, or hearing loss — text 911 directly.
How to text 911
- 1Open your phone's messaging app.
- 2Enter 911 in the To field.
- 3In your first message, give your location and nature of the emergency.
- 4Send a short, simple message and stay with your phone.
- 5Reply to questions from the dispatcher.
Use Text-to-911 when:
- · Calling could put you in danger (intruder, abuser nearby).
- · You are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech-impaired.
- · There is poor cell coverage that won't carry voice but will SMS.
Don't:
- · Send pictures or videos — not yet supported.
- · Use abbreviations or slang.
- · Text 911 in a group message.
- · Send messages from a phone with no service.