Did you know that you can text 911?

If you’re ever in an emergency situation but unable to place a call, you can now text 911.

It’s easy: Using any cell phone, open a new text message and type 911 as the recipient. Then text your name and the address of your location, and describe the type of help you need.

If you ever find yourself in a situation where silence is a matter of safety, such as a home invasion or a domestic dispute, texting allows you to summon help without alerting an offender. It also works in areas with weak cellular reception, where a simple text message can often "sneak through" when a voice call might fail to connect.

This service is also a major improvement for accessibility, allowing members of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community, as well as those with speech impairments, to communicate directly for help.

Please remember to start your text with who you are and where you are. Dispatchers may not always be able to automatically determine your location. They need you to confirm your address so that they can send help as soon as possible.

Already, 60% of 911 call centers in the USA provide text-to-911 services. While Scotch Plains (and all of Union County) are covered, others are not. To check if a town offers text-to-911, go to https://text911.info.

If interested in donating, volunteering, or finding out more about Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad, go to ScotchPlainsRescueSquad.com or visit its Facebook page.

Contributing Author: Christian Hansis, a member of the Scotch Plains Volunteer Rescue Squad.