Text to 911

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Most emergency dispatch centers in Santa Clara County are now equipped to receive and respond to mobile phone Short Message Service (SMS) Text to 9-1-1 messages. 

Callers can now send text messages to 9-1-1 for emergencies when they are unable to make traditional voice calls to 9-1-1. 

Text to 9-1-1 was not developed as a replacement for calling 9-1-1, but was mainly intended for three situations:

  1. The caller is hearing and/or voice impaired 

  2. A medical emergency renders the caller incapable of speech 

  3. When speaking aloud would put the caller in danger , such as during a home invasion robbery, an abduction, a domestic violence incident, an active shooter, etc.

Calling 9-1-1 is still the most effective and efficient way to reach emergency help.  

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