“Call if you can. Text if you can’t,” was the key message with the rollout recently of a new text to 9-1-1 service, which has become available for the first time in the greater Phoenix region.

Someone who is in imminent danger and unable to talk to a 9-1-1 operator now has the ability to text to 9-1-1. The service went live April 2 following months of collaboration between numerous public agencies and advocates for the disability community.

The launch of the service is the result of the collaborative efforts of the Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG), Maricopa Region 9-1-1 and other public agencies working with members of the disability community, the Arizona Center for Disability Law and the National Association of the Deaf.

Fountain Hills Councilman Nick DePorter, who represents the town on the MAG board, announced the new program at a regular council meeting on April 3.

The program will allow people with disabilities who cannot use a telephone in a normal manner to have improved access to 9-1-1 emergency, DePorter said.

MAG Chair Jackie Meck, mayor of Buckeye, said, “Texting has become a very important means of communication and we are excited to bring this technology to 9-1-1 service following months of united efforts and leadership.

“This is a crucial alternative to a voice call when someone is in danger and can’t talk out loud.”

Voice calling is always the best option because texting does not automatically provide dispatchers with the caller’s location. It also doesn’t work with group texts and language translations are not yet available.

While calling is preferred, Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton says texting capability may help save lives.

“We’re using technology to help individuals with disabilities, who may otherwise have difficulty connecting with first responders in an emergency,” said Mayor Stanton. “This also is an invaluable service for those who are in a situation where it may be too dangerous to call 9-1-1.

“Technology often opens doors and makes life easier, and texting to 9-1-1 will allow people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired to summon emergency services, report crimes, and summon aid for others, said Rose Daly-Rooney, Legal Director at the Arizona Center for Disability Law.

MAG identified a solution to purchase the system necessary to make text to 9-1-1 a reality. The system was installed in December 2017 and public safety call center personnel have been trained over the past several months to make this implementation possible.

Instructions for contacting 9-1-1 via text are as follows:

*Enter the numbers “9-1-1” in the “to” field.

*Always provide an exact location and the nature of the emergency in the initial message.

*Push the “send” button.

*Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker.

*Avoid using common text abbreviations or slang.

*Keep text messages brief and concise.

*Only use text-to-9-1-1 for emergency calls.

*Voice calling is always the best option, if you can safely do so.