Text-to-911 is the ability to send a text message to reach 911 Communications Officers from your mobile phone or device. However, because voice calls to 911 provide more information to 911 call centers, you should always make a voice call to 911 during an emergency whenever possible. When you send a Text-to-911, your GPS coordinates are transmitted to the center. The Mathews E-911 Center has been capable of receiving Text-to-911 since upgrading the 911 phone system in 2018. In 2022 the Mathews E-911 Center’s Viper® phone system was enabled to initiate a text to a mobile device through the 911 system.

The Communications Officers can now send a link to your mobile device that will enable your camera and microphone so they can see and hear everything happening on a scene. That link is a single use and when the text dialog is ended, access to your camera and microphone ends as well.

While the Communications Officers would always prefer to speak with you personally, Text-to-911 is a great tool for hearing impaired citizens. It is also a great tool to use if you are in a situation in which calling 911 could put you in greater danger