Many 911 call centers in North Texas have or are in the process of instating a program that allows North Texas residents to send a text message to 911. Tarrant County, however, is currently operating without this emergency text program.

Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley recently addressed this issue in the county newsletter and spoke in favor of an emergency text message program. He said texting provides residents another way to reach first responders in the event of an emergency. He pointed out texts could help residents who are deaf or hearing-impaired, victims of violence and people experiencing medical emergencies that cause temporary speech impairment.

He said the Tarrant County 911 district is working to upgrade all of its 911 equipment, which would allow emergency text services. The technology should be in place by the end of this year, Whitley said. He encouraged residents to contact city leaders and voice their support for text-to-911 services.