You Can Now Text 9-1-1 To El Paso Emergency Services

If you have a mobile device, you now have a way to text 9-1-1 for emergency services.

The County of El Paso says this new service will help people with speech or hearing impairments, or anyone who finds themselves needing help in an emergency but they can't speak out loud because it would put them in danger.

If you are going to use Text to 9-1-1, you should only use it if making a voice call isn't possible.

Here's how to text 9-1-1:

· Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field;
· Type the location of the emergency and why help is needed. Text in whole words, do not use abbreviations or slang.
· Push the “Send” button.
· Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

You will have to text your location because the 9-1-1 call taker will not have that information. Texts might take longer to get through as opposed to a voice call. And as with any text, it's possible that the text might not go through.

You should also know that Text-to-9-1-1 is not available if you are roaming, and you will need to have a text or data planto place a text-to-9-1-1.

If texting to 9-1-1 is not available in your area, or if it is temporarily unavailable, you will get a bounce-back message from your carrier letting you know the service is not available and to contact 9-1-1 by other means. The bounce-back messages are to minimize your risk of mistakenly believing that a text to 911 has been transmitted to an emergency call center.

You cannot send photos or videos. You can also not send emoji’s or gifs.

You cannot group message with Text to 9-1-1.

If you don't get a text response from 9-1-1, the text didn't go through and you'll need to contact 9-1-1 another way.

You can find out all the details about Text to 9-1-1 by logging on to the 9-1-1 website.