QUAD CITIES, IA/Ill. (KWQC) – Call if you can; text if you can’t.

It’s a new 911 service that launched in Rock Island and Scott counties.

Texting 911 is now an option for emergencies when calling is not possible. Mobile phone users will be able to send a text message (up to 140 characters) to contact dispatchers.

These situations include:

• People with hearing disabilities who need help.
• Those who cannot speak due to medical emergencies.
• Situations where speaking can be dangerous, such as crimes in progress.
• Areas with poor cell coverage where voice calls may fail.

Steve Seiver, chairman of the Rock Island County Emergency Telephone System Board, emphasizes that texting 911 adds an extra layer of safety.

“The advantage is that there are certain circumstances where a person may be at additional risk if they try to make a voice call or perhaps have a language barrier or are hard of hearing. That would make it difficult to make the call. In those circumstances, a text message to 9-1-1 can save lives,” Seiver said.

Melissa Ketcham of the Scott County Emergency Communications Center highlights the importance of the service in ensuring access to emergency help.

“It’s also for people who can add a level of danger when they’re trying to contact 911. A home invasion in progress, a robbery, a domestic violence situation where, if you get called, it announces that level of danger that we don’t want to put in.” our citizens on this,” Ketcham said.

Here’s how it works: To send a text message to 911, type “911” as the number in the “to” field. Then, text your exact location and the type of emergency and send the message.

Important Guidelines for Texting 911:

• Please provide your exact location.
• Briefly describe the emergency.
• Be prepared to answer any follow-up questions.
• Use simple language: no abbreviations, emojis or photos.
• Keep messages as brief as possible.
• Avoid using third-party texting apps.
• As always, don’t text while driving.

What’s this like for dispatchers?

They say that calls are preferred so they can get clues to background noise and voice inflections; Therefore, when someone texts 911, dispatchers will ask if they can call if the situation allows.

However, one trader says there are certain situations where texting is certainly beneficial.

“It’s extremely helpful in regards to… a lot of times people don’t feel comfortable talking on the phone or answering the phone if we try to contact them. It has proven to be very valuable when it comes to locating a suicidal subject or simply trying to make contact with a homeowner,” said Second Shift Emergency Services Dispatch Supervisor Sara Parker-Metz. “Again, a lot of times people don’t feel comfortable answering a phone call; “They don’t know who it belongs to, so if we can text them to make contact, it’s very beneficial.”

Ketcham, of the Scott County Emergency Communications Center, went on to say that as part of their ongoing training and ways to improve…dispatchers will have monthly tests to maintain their skills when it comes to responding to situations through emergency messages. text.

And although this service is now available in Scott and Rock Island counties. While voice calls are preferred, it is important to remember that voice calls are still the fastest way to contact 911.

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