Glossary
Text to 911
Texting 911 when you can't safely call. In NYC it works in English and Spanish, but the city says to call if you can.
Text to 911 lets you reach emergency services by text message when you can't safely make a call. In New York City, the city's Text-to-911 service (opens in a new tab) is free, works in English and Spanish across the five boroughs, and requires a text or data plan. It helps people who are Deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech disability, and anyone who can't safely speak.
The city's main rule: always call 911 if you can, and text only if you can't. When you do text:
- send your full address, cross streets and borough first;
- use complete words, not abbreviations;
- don't text from a group chat or send photos, videos or emojis;
- answer every question, and let the operator end the chat.
Availability differs outside New York City, so check your local service before a trip. In any water emergency, the first job is the same: get help coming, then reach or throw something that floats. See calling 911 near water and writing an emergency plan.
What you can do today: practice saying, or typing, your home address with cross streets so it comes out fast under stress.