"Call when you can, text when you can’t.”

Texting should only be used when you are unable to make a voice call to 9-1-1.

Here are a few things to know if you need to text an emergency to 9-1-1:

• The first thing 9-1-1 needs to know is location and type (fire, ems, police) of help needed.
• Location, location location. Automatic text location information is not as robust as current phone location technology. It's very important to give as exact location of the emergency as possible.
• Text in full words.
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

Like all text messages, messages can take longer to receive, messages can get out of order or your message may not be received at all.

Text to 9-1-1 is available in Frederick County, Maryland but is not available everywhere.

How to Text 9-1-1 for the Deaf, Deafblind, Hard of Hearing, & Speech Disabled