In an emergency, calling 911 isnโt the only option anymore. For people who canโt safely make a phone call, help could be just a text message away.
Metro Communications officials said the ability to text 911 has already helped save lives in situations where speaking out loud could have made things worse. โText messages would be good if youโre in a domestic violence situation, or any type of situation where youโre not sure itโs safe to be talking,โ said Metro Communications supervisor Tim Schleis. โIf you have to be hiding in a closet, itโs probably a good idea to text.โ
Dispatchers respond to text messages in real time, asking for a location and short details about the emergency.
โWeโll start it right away with the address or location, just like we do on a phone call,โ Schleis said. โWeโre going to ask whatโs going on. Keep it short and sweet because it does take longer to get a response through text message than it would on a phone call.โ
Last year, Metro Communications handled about 1,000 text messages compared to more than 102,000 phone calls. While phone calls are still preferred because they provide more information faster, officials said texting can be a vital tool when calling isnโt an option. โTexting 911 has saved lives,โ Schleis said. โThere have been situations where, had they been talking to us on the phone, they probably wouldโve been injured or worse.โ
The FCC and Metro Communications remind residents that calling is still the best way to reach emergency services when possible. Call when you can, text when you canโt.
