Deaf people can text emergency services, but only if our phones are registered for the service in advance.
Don’t wait until you need to call, it will be too late.
Do it now.
How to register
Write an SMS text which just says “register” and send it to 999.
They will reply with a message telling you more about the service.
When you have read their message reply with “yes”.
Shortly afterwards you will get another reply message. This one will say you are now registered, or tell you there is a problem and how to solve it.
Information needed in a 999 text
- Do you want fire, police or ambulance?
- In just a few words, what is happening?
- Where is help needed? Give the full address if you can, or a street name and landmark. Make it easy for the emergency services to find you.
When to use 999 text
- Life is at risk
- Crime/trouble is happening now
- Someone is injured or threatened
- Person committing crime is near
- There is a fire or people trapped
- You need an ambulance urgently
- Someone is in trouble, or missing, at sea
- Someone is in trouble on the cliffs or on the shore
This video was produced by Nottinghamshire Police.
