Rio Grande Valley 9-1-1
Text to 9-1-1
Call if you can, text if you must.
When to Use Texting
Text to 9-1-1 is available in Hidalgo and Willacy Counties. It is intended for situations where it is unsafe to make a voice call or for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities.
Text to 9-1-1 Dos
- - Provide your exact location immediately.
- - Describe the nature of the emergency clearly.
- - Be brief but comprehensive.
- - Keep your phone nearby to answer follow-up questions.
Text to 9-1-1 Don'ts
- - Don't use slang or abbreviations.
- - Don't send emojis or GIFs.
- - Don't include other people in a group text to 9-1-1.
- - Don't rely on texting if a voice call is possible.
Safety First
If you are in a situation where silence is critical for your safety, ensure your phone is on silent mode and the vibration is turned off before texting 9-1-1.