The Black Hawk Consolidated Public Safety Communications Center In Black Hawk Iowa can receive now text messages from select wireless subscribers in the county.

The call center successfully completed the text trial this past June and is now the first 9-1-1 Call Center in the country able to receive text messages directly into 9-1-1. This groundbreaking effort allows those individuals with speech and hearing impairments, or callers otherwise unable to place a voice call, to use text messaging to communicate directly with a 9-1-1 telecommunicator in an emergency.

"We are pleased that our county has become the first in the nation to successfully deploy text to 9-1-1," said Chief Thomas Jennings, chairman, Black Hawk 9-1-1 Board. "This solution not only helps better protect our speech and hearing impaired citizens but it proves how important it is for public safety to support all forms of communication."

"The state of Iowa has a long history of pioneering advancements in 9-1-1 technology as a way to enhance the safety of all of our citizens," said David Miller, administrator, Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Division. "We are proud to be part of this initiative to assist the speech and hearing impaired."

Their News Release Warns: It is important to note that this solution is currently only available to select wireless subscribers in Black Hawk County. Please remember that a voice call remains the best way to contact 9-1-1. Texting to 9-1-1 should only be used in situations where a voice call is not possible.