Text-To-911 Now Available In New Hampshire
CONCORD, N.H. (CBS/AP) — People in New Hampshire can now text emergencies to 911.
The four biggest wireless providers — Sprint, AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, began voluntarily providing the service last year and the Federal Communications Commission required it from all providers by the end of 2014.
Read: What You Need To Know About Text-to-911
The FCC tells people to limit texts for help to circumstances when voice calls can't be made, such as for the deaf, or in cases when it's not safe to speak.
People with a text plan type 9-1-1 into the "To" field on a mobile device then enter a brief description of the emergency.
Don't use abbreviations, shorthand, photos, video or emoticons. Use simple words and be prepared to answer the dispatcher's questions.
If a text message does not go through, the sender will receive a notification.
Only a handful of states have Text-to-911 so far. Maine and Vermont are the only other New England states where it is available.
You can see the list complete list here.
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