911: Call if you can, Text if you can’t

Voice calls to 911 are still the best and fastest way to contact 911

Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office is pleased to announce we have begun accepting Text to 911 service for Waupaca County. Citizens can now send a text to 911 in an emergency. Text to 911 should only be used in an emergency situation, when placing a call is not possible: For instance, if the caller is deaf, hard-of-hearing, speech impaired or when speaking out loud would put the caller in danger.

If there is an emergency and you are unable to make a call, remember these steps:

Don’t text and drive

In the first text message send the location and type of emergency.

Text in simple words – send a short text message without abbreviations or slang.

Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 911 call taker.

Don’t abuse 911 – Text to 911 is ONLY for emergencies.

It is a crime to text or call 911 with a false report. Prank-texters can be located.

Text to 911 service may still have challenges

A text or data plan is required to place a text to 911.

If you do not receive a text response from 911 to confirm it has been received, try to contact 911 another way.

Text to 911 services are not available everywhere in Wisconsin or the US.

Text to 911 cannot include more than one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 911.

Text to 911 is only available in English. If you require services in another language, call 911 to be connected with a translator service.

Voice calls to 911 are still the best and fastest way to contact 911.

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