By BECKY KISER
Hays Post

Starting today, 911 text messages can be sent in 71 Kansas counties, including Ellis County.

According to the Kansas 911 Coordinating Council,  the Text-to-911 service can be utilized by persons who cannot safely make a voice call to 911 in an emergency, and by those who are deaf or hard of hearing.

The service is available with plans from AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon Wireless.

Customers of Hays-based Nex-Tech Wireless can also text to 911, according to Corrina Hudsonpillar, marketing and public relations supervisor for Nex-Tech Wireless.

” We implemented the technology within our network in March 2014,” Hudsonpillar said.

Authorities stress the best way to contact 911 is by making a voice phone call.