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Current text-to-911 availability in Iowa

News

May 22nd, 2014 by Ric Hanson

Iowans may have heard recently that new technology is making it possible for many Americans to text 911 in an emergency. In Iowa however, only a small percentage of cell phone users are currently able to use text to contact 911. Barbara Vos, E-911 Program Manager for Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, says right now, the only Iowans who can use text to contact 911 are those living in Black Hawk County who have i-Wireless as their cell phone provider. Any other cell phone users who try to text 911 will receive a “bounce-back” message instructing them to contact 911 via a phone call.

Vos says the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEMD) has completed an upgrade to Iowa’s 911 network that will eventually allow citizens to contact 911 using text, video and picture messaging. The upgrade is part of a national initiative to upgrade wireless 911 networks to Internet-Protocol (IP)-based systems. These systems are more robust and capable of handling new messaging technology, including text-to-911.

Iowa’s network upgrade was a major accomplishment, but it is just the first phase in enabling text-to-911 for Iowans. Over the next approximately 18 months, HSEMD will be working with wireless carriers and 911 call centers as they get equipment and procedures in place that will allow them to utilize this new technology. The availability of text-to-911 will be rolled out on a county-by-county basis.

Even after text-to-911 is available, it will still be best to call 911 if at all possible. Not only will it be a faster way to ask for help, but 911 operators will be able to see your location when you call. Texts to 911 will not automatically show the caller’s location like a phone call will, possibly causing delays in getting needed assistance. And in an emergency, seconds can make a big difference. Still, the ability to text 911 is undeniably valuable in situations when a caller cannot communicate verbally, such as when a crime is in process or the caller is injured and unable to speak. Text-to-911 is also a valuable tool for those who are hard of hearing, deaf, or speech-impaired.

Look for more updates from HSEMD in the coming months as officials work to improve the state’s E-911 system.