Butler County residents can now text for help in emergencies in which they are unable to call 911.

Calling 911, if at all possible, is still recommended rather than texting, with the county launching the “Call if you Can, Text if you Can’t” campaign to raise text-to-911 awareness.

Butler County Emergency Services, along with those services in most southwestern Pennsylvania counties, will now accept text messages sent to 911, allowing those with hearing or speech impairments, as well as individuals in situations where calling 911 could place them in greater danger, to more easily access emergency help.

Cell phones must have an active text or data plan, and must be on a phone carrier supporting text-to-911 capabilities. Phones which are roaming will not be able to send a text message to 911, either.

To send a text to 911, individuals must put 911 in the “to” line, and should include in the message the address or location of the emergency, including the municipality and whether fire, police, ambulance or other services are needed. After sending the message, individuals should be prepared to answer operators’ questions.

County emergency services recommends people who send a text place their phone on silent, if they are in a situation which would prevent them from calling 911, “so not to alert intruders.”

Those texting 911 should also avoid using abbreviations or slang, and should not include 911 in a group message, emergency services recommends. Dispatchers will also be unable to receive multimedia messages, such as those containing audio recordings, pictures or videos.

All other counties in the Southwestern Pennsylvania Emergency Response Regional Task Force are also now able to receive texts to 911. In addition to Butler, those counties include Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Cambria, Fayette, Greene, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Somerset, Venango, Washington and Westmoreland counties, as well as the City of Pittsburgh.

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