Text to 911

AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon customers living in or traveling through the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch service area may be able to use their mobile phones to send a text message to 911 for emergency help. West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch serves the Villages of Forest Park, Oak Park, and River Forest.

Text-to-911 is beneficial for our residents and especially important for those with speech or hearing impairments. We are excited to be able to offer this service. West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch has been engaged in the process of establishing text to 9-1-1 service since early in 2020.

Wireless customers in the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch service area should always keep the following in mind when texting to 9-1-1:

• Customers should use the texting option only when calling 9-1-1 is not an option. Making a voice call is still the most efficient way to get access to emergency services. As with any communication to 911, the texting function should only be used for emergency situations. Emergency situations require a response from Police, Fire Department and/or Emergency medical services.
• Because of limitations of text message routing, location of texter, carrier and other factors, not all text messages from customers within our service area will be routed to WSCDC. Instead, people may receive a bounce back message from their carrier. If a text to 9-1-1 for an emergency is not answered in a timely manner, customers should not hesitate to make a voice call to 9-1-1.
• Text messages should always include clear location information with the first text message sent to 9-1-1, along with the nature of the emergency. Unlike 9-1-1 voice calls, emergency personnel will not be able to determine location information for a customer sending a text message to 9- 1-1, nor will they be able to speak with the person sending the text to quickly ascertain their location. Abbreviations and slang should never be used with text messages to 9-1-1.

More information regarding Text to 9-1-1 can be found on the National Emergency Number Association (NENA) website and the Federal Communications (FCC) website. For additional information contact: Brian Staunton, Executive Director – 708-771-9112, bstaunton@wscdc.org

TEXT to 9-1-1 Facts and FAQs
Can I send a text to 9-1-1? Yes. Cellular customers living in or traveling through the West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch service area may be able to use their mobile phones to send a text message to 911 for emergency help. West Suburban Consolidated Dispatch serves the Villages of Forest Park, Oak Park, and River Forest. Texting should only be used during an emergency when you are unable to make a voice call to 9-1-1.
How to text 9-1-1 in an emergency:

• Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field;
• The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed;
• Push the “Send” button
• Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker
• Text in simple words – do not use abbreviations
• Keep text messages brief and concise

Below are a few things to know if you need to text 9-1-1:

• Text location information is not equal to current location technology.
• As with all text messages, 9-1-1 messages can take longer to receive, can get out of order or may not be received.
• Text-to-9-1-1 is not available if you are roaming.
• A text or data plan is required to place a text-to-9-1-1
• If texting to 9-1-1 is not available in your area, or is temporarily unavailable, you will receive a message indicating that texting 9-1-1 is not available and to contact 9-1-1 by other means.
• Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time.
• Text-to-9-1-1 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1.

Do not text and drive!