Emergency center launches 'Text-to-911' service in Montgomery County

Montgomery residents will now be able to text 9-1-1 for emergencies when it isn't possible to make a phone call the Montgomery County Emergency Communication announced Tuesday.

With the text-to-911 option. residents will be able to send a 140-character text to 911, which will be received by a dispatcher. This will allow people who aren't able to make a call still receive help in an emergency.

For instance, if the caller is deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired or when speaking aloud would put the caller in danger.

How it works

• Text 911 in the field for the phone number, no other numbers are needed

• In the first text, send the location and type of emergency

• Using plain language, send a short and concise text message without abbreviations, slang or photos

• Be prepared to answer any questions and follow up instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

• Do not text and drive

Some challenges with text-to-911

The Emergency Communications District warns residents that the text-to-911 will have some challenges.

You must have a text or data plan to use the service and, like 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.

Calls are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1. "Call if you can, text if you can't".

Growing list of counties

Montgomery County joins the growing list of Tennessee counties that offer text-to-911. There are currently about a dozen counties that allow residents to text 911 including Davidson, Dickson, Madison, Maury, Shelby, Hamilton and Knox Counties.

“Montgomery County Emergency Communications District is excited to offer Text-to-9-1-1 service to the citizens of Clarksville, Montgomery County," said Montgomery County 911 Director Hope Petersen. "This service adds a new channel of communication for those who are unable to make voice calls, such as those with hearing and speech impairments and those in an unsafe environment."

Remember that texting 911 is for emergencies only, and it is a crime to call or text with a false report.

Below is the list of Tennessee county emergency centers that participate in the 911 test platform, according to Kevin Walters, communications director for the state Department of Commerce & Insurance.

This article originally appeared on Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle: Emergency center launches 'Text-to-911' service in Montgomery County