Text-to-911 service not yet available in Grant County

May 15, 2014, was the FCC’s deadline for all four major U.S. carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile and Sprint) to have Text-to-911 available in their networks nationwide. This is only a deadline for those carriers. It is up to each 911 center to decide whether and when to begin accepting texts.

To implement emergency texting, 911 Centers need the proper equipment, software and training. Washington State 911 Centers are currently working to make the necessary upgrades in order to accept Text-to-911, but the technology is not yet in place.

In situations of danger when a caller cannot communicate verbally such as the deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired or where a caller doesn’t want an intruder or abusive person to hear them, texting to 911 can be a way to get help.

Currently, the Multi Agency Communications Center (MACC 911) which serves Grant County, does not accept text messages to 911. Until fully implemented, texting 911 will result in receipt of an alert message that says “Make a voice call to 911 for help; text to 911 is not available.”