The big four carriers voluntarily agreed to provide text-to-911 support by May 2014; a subsequent FCC order required them to have it in place by Dec. 31. The onus is then on individual 911 centers to buy the necessary equipment and request the service.

Smaller carriers will have six months to provide text-to-911 once notified by a dispatch center that it’s set up to receive them.

Miller is notifying the two other major carriers in Buffalo County, U.S. Cellular and Viaero Wireless, and Conrey said Douglas County is sending letters to U.S. Cellular and Cricket.

Conrey said it’s not clear whether 911 texts from prepaid phones will go through. Those companies typically rely on larger carriers’ infrastructure to transmit call data.

Both counties are coordinating on a public education campaign for the texting public, targeting young people in schools and universities who are more likely to text.

A key takeaway: Call 911 rather than text if you can.

For one thing, dispatchers will get only general location data, so it’s important to provide specific information about where you are. (For example: I’m hiding in a closet in a room on the second floor of the building at 1300 Douglas St. and there is a man downstairs with a gun.)