The Cortez Communication Center has upgraded its system to accept 911 texts for reporting emergencies in Montezuma and Dolores counties.
It is always better to call 911 if you can, says Lori Johnson, communications supervisor for the center, the region’s dispatch hub.
“Remember, a voice call to 911 is more efficient; however, text 911 if you cannot call,” she said.
Currently, cellphone carriers with the local ability to text to 911 include AT&T, Verizon and Sprint.
Johnson provided tips on the process.
If there is an emergency requiring a 911 text, enter the numbers into the ‘To’ field of the texting app.
The first text message to 911 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed. Then push the ‘Send’ button. Be prepared to answer return text questions and follow instructions from the 911 call taker.
Keep text messages brief and concise, use simple words and do not use abbreviations.
“Text location information is not equal to current location technology,” Johnson said. “So providing your exact location is critical.”
As with all text messages, 911 messages can take longer to receive, can get out of order or may not be received. A text or data plan is required to place an emergency text to 911.
Text to 911 is not available if the phone is in roaming mode.
If texting to 911 is not available in your area or is temporarily unavailable, you will receive a message indicating that texting 911 is not available and to contact 911 by other means.
Text to 911 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 911. Also, do not text and drive.
In poor cellphone reception areas, sometimes texting 911 is successfully sent when a call does not go through, officials said.
“It is another added tool people can use,” said Montezuma County Sheriff Steve Nowlin. “We are using the technology available to protect the public.”
It also could aid someone who is lost in the backcountry but does not have a strong cellphone signal, he said.
