Text-to-911 system starts Monday, limited to Red Willow County

McCOOK, Neb. — As of Monday, cell phone users in Red Willow County can send a text message to 911 to request emergency assistance.

McCook Police Chief Ike Brown announced this morning that the “text to 911” system is designed primarily for deaf, hard-of-hearing and speech-impaired citizens. “However,” he said, “if making a voice call would directly endanger the person calling 911, then texting would be an option.”

The system has some limitations. Brown said it is important to note that calling 911 remains the fastest and most efficient way to request emergency help.

Text to 911 calls will be handled similar to wireless 911 calls and TTY911 calls and will be received through the McCook police department’s 911 system. Brown said the priority will be to determine the caller’s exact location; without location information, emergency response cannot be sent.

If it is determined that the caller is not within Red Willow County, the call cannot be transferred to the correct jurisdiction, Brown said. The individual will then to instructed to call 911 so he/she can be transferred to the correct 911 center.

When the dispatcher disconnects the call, an automatic message will be sent advising the caller he/she has been disconnected and to call 911 by voice or start a new text message if additional assistance is needed.

Brown said the text to 911 service is not currently supported by all cell phone carriers or other 911 centers in the region. If an individual attempts a text and it is not supported, he/she will receive a message indicating that a voice call to 911 must be made.

Brown said that text capabilities are limited currently to English only.

Questions about text-to-911 in Red Willow County can be directed to Chief Brown at (308) 345-3450 or ibrown@cityofmccook.com