Allen County 911 Board and EMA has announced that beginning on May 10, 2022 Allen County will begin accepting text-to-9-1-1 emergency messaging.

Wireless customers can now send a text, up to 140 characters, to 9-1-1 in an emergency. Text to 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency when placing
a call is not possible: for instance, if the caller is deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired, or when speaking aloud would put the caller in danger.

Text to 9-1-1 is for emergencies only

Please do not send a text to "test" or "see if it's working." This ties up emergency lines and call takers.

9-1-1: Call if you Can, text if you can't.

Voice calls to 9-1-1 are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1.

How to text to 9-1-1

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a call, remember these steps:
• Do not text and drive.
• In your first text message to 9-1-1 send the location and type of emergency.
•Text in simple words. Send a short text message in English without abbreviations or slang.
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
• A text or data plan is required to place a Text-to-9-1-1.
• As with all text messages, messages to 9-1-1 may take longer to receive, may get out of order, or may not be received at all.
• If you do not receive a text response from 9-1-1, try to contact 9- 1-1 another way.
• Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time.
• Text-to-9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.
• Voice Calls to 9-1-1 are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1.

Don't Abuse 9-1-1. Text-to-9-1-1 service is ONLY for emergencies. The Text-to-9-1-1 service may have challenges.