This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these template messages) This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (July 2020) The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with the United States and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. You may improve this article, discuss the issue on the talk page, or create a new article, as appropriate. (November 2021) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

Text-to-911 is a technology that enables emergency call takers to receive text messages.[1] Its use is encouraged for people with hearing impairment or who have trouble speaking; it can also be used for situations when it is too dangerous to call.[2] Text-to-911 has been supported by the four major cellular providers in the United States since 2014,[3] but as of October 2018 it is only supported by approximately 1,600 of more than 6,000 emergency call centers.[4]

Adoption

The FCC maintains a registry of areas supporting text-to-911. All carriers are required to send bounce-back messages to inform the sender that the message could not be received if text-to-911 is not supported by the local call center.[5]

Statewide Support

The National Association of the Deaf provides a map of states providing text-to-911.[16]

Challenges

Call centers are usually funded by both state and federal funding.[4] Limited funding and outdated technology have slowed the adoption of text-to-911.[4] Voice-based calls are still preferred and considered the more efficient form of communication.[1] Many cities are concerned about overuse of texting, which may slow response times.[2] Texts to 911 are not prioritized so they may be slow to be delivered.[5]

History

In August 2009, Waterloo, Iowa, was the first county to begin receiving texts to 911.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Tsukayama, Hayley. "What you need to know about texting 911". Washington Post. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  2. ^ a b "Too dangerous to talk? Some cities explore 911 texting". AP NEWS. 2016-07-05. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  3. ^ "U.S.' Text-To-911 Service Goes Live, But You Probably Can't Use It Yet". TechCrunch. 15 May 2014. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  4. ^ a b c "Why is it so hard to text 911?". AP NEWS. 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  5. ^ a b "Text Messaging 911 Takes Effect: What You Need to Know". ABC News. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  6. ^ "Text-to-911 Now Available Throughout Arizona". Arizona Center for Disability Law. 12 July 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-12.
  7. ^ "Text to 911: How Often It's Being Used". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  8. ^ "New "Text-to-911" Feature Now Available Statewide". news.delaware.gov. 5 March 2018.
  9. ^ Staff (2018-06-03). "After 4 years, Indiana embraces text-to-911 in emergencies". WISH-TV | Indianapolis News | Indiana Weather | Indiana Traffic. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  10. ^ "Text 911 now available in Iowa". www.kwqc.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  11. ^ "Text-to-911 Available Statewide in Minnesota". www.govtech.com. 11 May 2018. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  12. ^ "Text-to-911 Now Available Throughout Maine". www.govtech.com. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 2021-09-11.
  13. ^ Press release nh.gov[dead link]
  14. ^ "North Dakota Launches Local Solution for Statewide Next-Gen 911". 31 October 2014.
  15. ^ "South Dakota now offers 'text to 911'". 22 March 2021.
  16. ^ "National Association of the Deaf - NAD". www.nad.org. Retrieved 2020-03-10.
  17. ^ Svensson, Peter (2009-08-05). "Iowa 911 center is first to accept text messages". msnbc.com. Retrieved 2020-03-10.

External links

Categories