McLennan County announced Tuesday it had fully implemented text to 911 services countywide for all four major wireless carriers.
Customers using AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon are now able to text up to 140 characters to 911 in an emergency situation.
Dispatchers urge users only to use texting when a phone call is impossible.
"Call if you can -- text if you can't," is the slogan being used in places that have tried the new service.
Officials say the service will offer improved emergency services access for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impaired.
Several other Central Texas counties have implemented similar programs.
Bell County remains the largest local county that has not done so, but text to 911 plans are in the works.
Michael Harmon, executive director of the Bell County Communications Center, said Bell County has all the hardware in place for the service. But, the county still needs to train some personnel and get the program activated by the state. He said he hoped to have text to 911 services available in Bell County within a year.
Please consider the following information from dispatchers:
- Do not include dashes or special characters when texting 911.
- Always send your location and emergency type in the first message.
- Be prepared to follow instructions from the 911 dispatchers.
- Photos and videos cannot be sent to 911.
- If you do not receive a prompt text response, call 911.