Flagler County now has text-to-911 capability

In an emergency, people who are not able to make a voice call can now use texting to communicate with the county's dispatch center.

  • By Observer Staff
  • | 2:50 p.m. February 14, 2019
In an FCSO PSA video, Sheriff Rick Staly tells viewers about the county's new text-to-911 service. (Image courtesy of the FCSO)
In an FCSO PSA video, Sheriff Rick Staly tells viewers about the county's new text-to-911 service. (Image courtesy of the FCSO)
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People having an emergency in Flagler County will now be able to text to 911 if they're not able to call, according to a joint news release from the Flagler County Board of County Commissioners and the Flagler County Sheriff's Office.

“We are excited to have this new technology in Flagler County and we know that it will save lives,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in the news release. “We always want callers to call 911 in an emergency if possible. If calling 911 will put you in danger or if you have difficulty hearing or speaking, texting 911 is now an option. Remember to CALL when you can, TEXT when you can’t.” 

To use the text-to-911 service, your cell phone's data plan must allow texting.

To text to 911, according to the news release:

  • When creating a new message, type 911 with no spaces or dashes in the "to” field.
  • In the message body, type the exact location or provide a nearby intersection or landmark. Do not use abbreviations, slang or emojis, or attempt to send pictures or videos, when using text-to-911.
  • Include the type of emergency, as text-to-911 is for police, fire or emergency medical services.
  • Dispatch will respond within seconds. If text-to-911 is not available in your area, a response will alert you to call 911. 

“Text to 911 is a feature that is still not functional in many parts of the country,” Flagler County Innovation Technology Director and 911 Coordinator Jarrod Shupe said in the news release. “This new technology has advanced the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center’s ability to provide service to the community and to our first responders. We are pleased that we can offer better technology to serve the residents and visitors of Flagler County.” 

Like calling 911, texting to 911 should only be used for a true emergency, and doing so when there is not an emergency is a crime.

Watch the FCSO's text-to-911 introduction video above, or at https://youtu.be/Qi3YHnT9Hlg or on the FCSO Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/flaglercounty.sheriffsoffice.

 

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