Allen County is proud to announce that on May 2, 2022, Allen County will be text compatible and will begin accepting text–to–9-1-1 emergency messaging. Wireless customers can now send a text, up to 140 characters, to 9-1-1 in an emergency. Text to 9-1-1 should only be used in an emergency when placing a call is not possible: For instance, if the caller is deaf, hard of hearing, speech impaired, or when speaking aloud would put the caller in danger.

Text to 9-1-1 is for emergencies only! Please do not send a text to “test” or “see if it’s working”, this ties up lines and call takers. Text to 9-1-1 is managed and monitored in the same manner as 9-1-1 call lines, if there is an issue Allen County EMA and the Allen County Sheriff’s Office will know so citizens placing test texts to 9-1-1 is always unnecessary.

9-1-1: Call if you Can, text if you can’t.

Voice calls to 9-1-1 are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1.

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a call, remember these steps:

• Do not text and drive.
• In your first text message to 9-1-1 send the location and type of emergency.
• Text in simple words. Send a short text message in English without abbreviations or slang.
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.
• A text or data plan is required to place a Text-to-9-1-1.
• As with all text messages, messages to 9-1-1 may take longer to receive, may get out of order, or may not be received at all.
• If you do not receive a text response from 9-1-1, try to contact 9- 1-1 another way.
• Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time.
• Text-to-9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.
• Voice Calls to 9-1-1 are still the best and fastest way to contact 9-1-1

Don’t Abuse 9-1-1. Text-to-9-1-1 service is ONLY for emergencies.

The Text-to-9-1-1 service may have many challenges.