Enhancing Emergency Response: Texting 911

Greetings to our valued community at Cedar Ridge Estate! We always strive to provide you with the latest and most essential information to ensure you have an exceptional and safe living experience here. Today, we are thrilled to share some crucial information from our partners at the Washington Military Department about the ability to text 911 in case of emergencies.

What is Text-to-911?

Text-to-911 is a service that allows individuals to communicate with emergency services via text message. This facility aims to provide a more accessible option for those who may have difficulty placing traditional voice calls, including individuals with hearing impairments or in situations where making a voice call could be dangerous.

How to Use the Text-to-911 Service

1. Compose a new text message in your device's messaging app.
2. In the 'To' field, enter "911," without any dashes or other punctuation.
3. In the message field, state your emergency and include your exact location. Keep the message as clear and concise as possible.
4. Hit 'send.'

Please remember, like all text messages, 911 texts can take longer to receive, can get out of order, or may not be received at all. Therefore, if it is safe and you're capable, always make a voice call to 911.

When to Use Text-to-911

This service should only be used in emergency situations. You can use it if:

1. You are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability.
2. You are in a situation where it's not safe to make a voice call.
3. You have tried to call 911 but cannot get phone reception.

The service is not for:

1. Messages with pictures, videos, or emojis. The system can only handle plain text.
2. A casual chat or non-emergency situations.
3. Group texts. The system can't handle these, so only text one-on-one with the 911 dispatcher.

Availability

Currently, the Text-to-911 service is available in most areas of the country. However, if the service is not available in your area, you will receive a bounce-back message instructing you to make a voice call instead.

Here at Cedar Ridge Estate, we believe that your safety is paramount. By sharing this information, we hope to empower our community members to make use of this technology during critical situations, if needed.

Stay informed, stay safe, and remember, only call 911 when you have a genuine emergency. Together, we can make Cedar Ridge Estate a safe and secure community for everyone.

Sources: Washington Military Department (mil.wa.gov)