Indiana at forefront of 'Text to 911' movement; only 4 of 92 counties don't have it

Simple, send a text message to 911.

What if you’re deaf or hard of hearing and need emergency help?

Again, text 911.

Indiana has been at the forefront of “Text to 911” systems in the United States. Eighty-eight of Indiana’s 92 counties, including Wayne, Randolph, Henry, Fayette and Union, are equipped to receive 911 text messages. Only Lake, Jasper, Marion and Ripley counties have not accepted the system.

Wayne County Emergency Communications volunteered to the Indiana Statewide 911 Board as one of the first five counties to explore adding texting capabilities. The system went live on May 14, 2014, in Wayne County and was used 11 times for emergencies by the end of the year.

All counties in Vermont and Maine accept text messages to 911, and 15 other states have just a few counties each in the program. For example, Ohio has just two counties that accept texts to 911.