Bucks County Launches Text to 9-1-1 Service

Bucks County residents can now text 9-1-1 in emergency situations when calling is not an option.

Bucks Emergency Communication officials have signed an agreement with TeleCommunications Systems to add the Text to 9-1-1 capability at no cost to the county. All four major carriers – Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and AT&T – are deployed in the program.

“As the public continues to go mobile, relying on new technology every day, the county must continue to commit to initiatives that follow suit, in this case maximizing our emergency services, specifically our emergency communications, in this growing wireless society,” said Commissioner Chairman Robert Loughery.

According to information from the County, Bucks County Department of Emergency Communications 9-1-1 dispatchers currently receive around 2,600 calls every day, and almost two out of three of those calls come from cell phones.

“This new service could be a safe option for those who need to contact 9-1-1 in a domestic violence or crime-related emergency situation. In the next steps of the continually growing process, Text to 9-1-1 may also help first responders receive information such as photos of crime scenes, videos of medical emergencies and more, as the future of this technology is ever changing for the better,” the county said in a statement.

If you are in an emergency and texting is the only option, here’s what you need to know:

• Do not use abbreviations.
• Send the address including municipality in the first message to 9-1-1
• Answer the questions as quickly and briefly as possible.
• If the situation changes, and you can make a voice call, let the telecommunicator know.