The DeSoto County Emergency Communications Commission announced Tuesday that Textto-911 is coming to the county.

The commission has recently upgraded the county E911 system to a Next Generation Platform that enhances emergency 911 call delivery and handling. This upgrade includes the ability for citizens to text 911 in emergency situations.

DeSoto County’s five Emergency Communications Centers, also known as PSAPs, will officially begin accepting SMS text-to-911 messages on October 1st, 2023. While text-to-911 will be possible on and after this date, the Emergency Communications Commission would like to remind citizens to “Call when you can; Text when you can’t.”

The texting option is not meant to replace voice calls to 911, rather to allow another form of communication in situations when calling 911 may not be an option.

The E911 Commission says they are looking forward to implementing this potential life-saving method of contacting emergency services further enhancing public safety in the area.