In an emergency? Now you can text 911

TUCSON (KVOA) - Communication centers throughout Pima County have now added texting to their 911 answering system. 

While calling 911 for help is still preferred, Cecilia Ochoa, the communications manager for the Pima County Sheriff’s Department said adding texting gives the community a critical option during certain situations. 

“Somebody that’s maybe having a medical emergency and can’t necessarily voice call us,” Ochoa said. “And also for those who may be in a threatening situation where they’re in a dangerous situation where they’re not able to make a voice call to 911 yet they’re able to connect with us via text.” 

The hope is that texting will give the county further reach. 

Starting now, people can text 911 in the “To” field on their phone and text the location and the nature of the emergency in the “Text” field.

“We want to make sure we are connecting with any of the citizens out there in Pima County,” Ochoa said. “We want to make sure each and every one of them is able to reach 911.”

However, Ochoa stresses calling should always be the first option if you can do so safely.

“If you can call 911, call,” she said. “That’s what we want you to do because our dispatchers are trained to gather that information and get it out quickly.”

Ochoa believes the texting feature will be vital for the hearing impaired and those with a speech disability. 

English is the preferred language due to a limited number of Spanish-speaking translators.