Southwest Dispatch Center Rolls Out Text-To-911 Service

PALOS HEIGHTS, IL -- Southwest Central Dispatch rolled out a new text friendly 911 system on Tuesday that is now available in several south suburbs. The new system allows people to text 911 for help when it’s too dangerous to make a 911 voice call. The system has successfully tested on all major cellular carriers and confirmed the dispatch center can communicate via text messages.

The service is available in communities served by Southwest Central Dispatch, including Palos Heights, Palos Park, Palos Hills, Lemont, Worth, Chicago Ridge, Countryside, Crestwood and Indian Head Park, as well as the Palos, North Palos Fire and Palos Heights fire protection districts. At this time photos and videos cannot be texted to 911, but the capability will be available in the coming months.

Texting to 911 is best suited for the following scenarios:

• Individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability,
• A situation where it is not safe to place a voice call to 911,
• A medical emergency that renders a person incapable of speech.

How to use text-to-911:

• Enter “911” in the recipient field of your device.
• Text your location and what type of response is needed, police, fire or ambulance.
• Send your message.
• You will receive acknowledgement message that may ask questions, or give instructions from the 911 center.
• Keep messages short and do not use abbreviations or slang in the body of the text message.

The preferred method is always calling 911. SWCD advises residents to “call when you can, text when you can’t.”