The ability to text 911 will be available in certain parts of the country in 2013, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chairman Julius Genachowski announced in a press release.
"Access to 911 must catch up with how consumers communicate in the 21st century — and today, we are one step closer towards that vital goal," Genachowski said in a statement.
The FCC and the nation’s four largest wireless carriers — AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, and T-Mobile — have reached an agreement to make texting to 911 available nationwide by May 15, 2014.
California’s Public Safety Communications Office plans to implement a Text-to-911 pilot project in California by the fall of 2013, according to spokesperson Christine Lally.
In areas where texting to 911 has not yet been set up, people attempting to text emergency services will receive a "bounce-back" text telling them to voice call 911.
The ability to text 911 will be a complement to normal voice calls and could help in situations where speaking could endanger the caller or if the person is otherwise unable to speak with the emergency operator.
Genachowski said he also hoped to make possible the transmission of photos and videos to 911 centers in the future.
