Text 9-1-1
In December of 2015, Beaumont Police Department in conjunction with several other San Bernardino and Riverside County agencies introduced Text to 9-1-1. "Call if you can, text if you can't".
Below are the FCC Guidelines on how to contact 9-1-1. If you use a wireless phone or other type of mobile device, make sure to do the following in an emergency:
- If you can, always contact 9-1-1 by making a voice call, "Call if you can - text if you can't"
- If you are deaf, hard-of-hearing, or speech disabled, and Text-to-9-1-1 is not available, use a TTY or telecommunications relay service, if available.
- If it is an emergency and you need to use this feature dial 911 into your device's messaging service, type your message and send.
- If you text 9-1-1 and text is not available in your area, you will receive a bounce back message advising "text is not available please make a voice call to 9-1-1."
- Location accuracy varies by carrier and should not be relied upon. Be prepared to give your location.
- Text-to-9-1-1 service will not be available if the wireless carrier cannot ascertain a location of the device sending the message.
- Text-to-9-1-1 is not available if you are roaming.
- A text or data plan is required to place a text to 9-1-1.
- Photos and video cannot be sent to 9-1-1. They cannot be received at the 9-1-1 center at this time.
- Text messages should be sent in plain language and not contain popular abbreviations (SMH, LOL, ICYMI) or emojis, which will not be recognized.
- Text-to-9-1-1 cannot be sent to more then one person. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other then 9-1-1.
- Texts must be in English only. There currently is no language interpretation for text available. This is still in development.
The following is a list of law enforcement and fire agencies that are currently equipped to receive Text-to-9-1-1 for San Bernardino County:
Barstow Police Department
Chino Police Department
California Highway Patrol - Barstow
California Highway Patrol - Inland Empire
Colton Police Department
Confire Communication Center (San Bernardino County Fire Department, Apple Valley, Big Bear, Colton, Loma Linda, Montclair, Rancho Cucamonga, Redlands, Rialto, Running Springs, Twenty-nine Palms, and Upland Fire Departments)
Cal State University San Benardino Police Department
Fontana Police Department
Montclair Police Department
Ontario Police Department
Redlands Police Department
San Bernardino Police/Fire Department
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Valley Control Center/dispatch
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department Desert Control Center/dispatch
Upland Police Deparment
The following is a list of law enforcement agencies who are currently equipped to receive Text-to-9-1-1 for Riverside County:
Banning Police Department
Beaumont Police Department
Cathedral City Police and Fire Department
Desert Hot Springs Police Department
Palm Springs Police Department
Click here to learn more about this program.