Tips for Using Text to 9-1-1

• Always text your location first Texting the location immediately is vital for a quick response.
• Key Questions you will be asked: Who? What? Where? When? Weapons?
• All texts to 9-1-1 are subject to North Carolina public recordslaws just as the phone calls.
• Residents are encouraged not to “test” this service by texting 9-1-1 unnecessarily. Texts to 9-1-1 require the call-taker to stay on that line, therefore the call-taker is not available to answer other calls requesting emergency services.
• A voice call is still the preferred option.
• A text or data plan is required in order to text 9-1-1 with these major carriers.
• Poor reception due to your location or lack of service coverage by your carrier could result in a bounce back message that text to 911 is unavailable.

Candy Strezinski, Iredell County 911 Director