OUTAGAMIE COUNTY, WI (WTAQ) – Those in Outagamie County can now text 911 in case of an emergency.
The Outagamie County Communications Center says to use this service, just open a blank text message, enter 911 in the recipient line and type your emergency message and location.
“The county felt it was important enough that we give all cell customers an option to use.”
The dispatcher will not be able to receive the location of the text when it is sent.
It is recommended that the message is left brief and should only be used at times when it is not possible to speak to a dispatcher on the phone.
Sergeant Ryan Carpenter of the Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department says it will come in handy when people can’t get phone service or are unable to talk given a dangerous situation.
“Possibly a domestic abuse situation where they did not want the perpetrator to know that they were getting the police in route to the situation.”
Text-to-911 service is also available in Brown, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan counties.
If you are outside those areas, the texting service will not work.
