Residents with Verizon wireless service can now text emergency information to 911 at the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and Pella Police Department.

Chair of the Marion County 911 Board Marcia Slycord tells KNIA/KRLS News the rollout benefits those who are not able to call in an emergency and those immediately responding in the call centers. Verizon is the only carrier to support text-to-911, with no firm timeline to add other wireless providers. Slycord reminds those with the capability to only use the Text-to-911 service for emergencies to keep lines of communication open to make sure help gets to where it is needed the most.

Hear more about the text-to-911 program in Marion County on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.