Text to 9-1-1 is now available in the following counties in Oregon:
In August 2016 several 9-1-1 centers in Northwest Oregon worked together and became the first in the state to ‘go live’ with Text to 9-1-1. The 9-1-1 tax, managed by the Oregon Department of Emergency Management’s 9-1-1 program, paid for the Text to 9-1-1 web-based services. Upon early successful testing and implementation, the state 9-1-1 program has also offered to pay for a web-based interim solution for any 9-1-1 center in the state that wishes to participate.
Does Text to 9-1-1 replace voice 9-1-1 calls?
Call if you can, text if you can’t. Texting should ONLY be used when you are unable to make a voice call to 9-1-1. If you are able to place a voice call, telecommunicators are able to gather information more quickly about the emergency, your location and what hazards responders may encounter. If, however, you are unable to place a voice call, Text to 9-1-1 is an option you can use to share this same information.
As emergency communications phone technologies progress, the 9-1-1 Program will be working with Oregon 9-1-1 centers to implement Text to 9-1-1 solutions to serve all Oregonians and our visitors statewide.