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Iowans Can Now Text 911

Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management

Iowa has set up a Text-to-911 system for wireless phones. Officials say 94 of Iowa's 113 emergency calls centers can accept text messages from at least one wireless phone carrier. 

The remaining centers are expected to have that capability by the end of 2017.

The Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management oversees Iowa's 911 program, working with local public safety agencies and wireless carriers to build a statewide network and make Text-to-911 technology possible.

Six wireless carriers can or soon will provide customers with the ability to text 911. The carriers are: AT&T, iWireless, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular and Verizon.

The program is not yet available in Scott County, but is available in Clinton, Cedar, and Muscatine counties.

More information on the Text-to-911 program is available on the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management website.