The City of West Chicago and the West Chicago Fire Protection District are pleased to announce that Ducomm, West Chicago's 9-1-1 dispatch center, has added the ability for residents to text 9-1-1 dispatchers for emergencies, joining other helplines providers with texting services to 988 for Crisis Intervention and Suicide Support and 211 for health and social service resources.

Text-to-911 works on cell phones, tablets and other devices with the capability of sending texts using AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile. Text-to-911 does not currently receive pictures or video. Text-to-911 service is subject to cell signal availability– another reason why those attempting to contact 9-1-1 should call when they can and text when they can’t. In the event a text does not go through, the person attempting to use Text-to-911 should receive an automated bounce-back message indicating the text’s failure to be delivered.

For more information about the new Text-to-911 service visit Ducomm at https://www.ducomm.org/ or Dupage ETSB at https://www.dupagecounty.gov/government/departments/etsb/text_to_911.php