Your 911 dispatcher may text you a link to see your emergency live. Here’s how it works and how to spot a fake.

November 12, 2026

By Kim Komando

Smoke was pouring out of a house in Chesterfield County, Va. Someone called 911. Then the dispatcher did something new and texted the caller a link.

One tap, and the 911 center was watching the fire live, right through the caller’s phone camera. Before the first truck pulled up, they knew it was bad enough to call a second alarm. The assistant fire chief says that video saved crews about five minutes. That’s a lot of house.

This is happening in more and more counties. And if you don’t know it’s coming, that text might look like a scam.

📱 How live video 911 works

Here’s what you need to know. In places that have it, the steps are simple:

• You call 911 like always.
• The dispatcher asks if you can share video, then texts you a link.
• You tap it and allow access to your camera, mic and location.
• They see what you see. The link stops working when the call ends.

More counties are signing up, and the FCC is pushing the whole country toward 911 systems that can take texts, photos and video. Amazing.

FYI, a real 911 link only shows up while you’re on the phone with 911 and the dispatcher tells you it’s coming. A random text claiming to be from 911 when you didn’t call? That’s a scam. Delete it.

🆘 Call 911 in seconds

No time to unlock your phone and dial? There’s a panic button built in.

• iPhone: Press and hold the side button and either volume button. Keep holding through the countdown, then let go, and it calls 911. You can also press the side button five times fast. Make sure both are on in Settings > Emergency SOS.
• Android: Press the power button five times fast. Set it up first in Settings > Safety and emergency > Emergency SOS. That’s the path on Samsung and Pixel phones. Other brands may vary.

Now teach the kids. Show them which buttons to press, and make sure they know your home address by heart. But don’t let them practice for real. It actually calls 911.

Can’t talk out loud? Text 911. Lead with your address, keep it short and skip the emojis. If your area can’t take texts, you’ll get a reply telling you to call.

Want to know if your county has video or text? Search your county’s name plus “911 video.” Please don’t test it by texting 911. I also shared how to text 911 when you have no signal.

🗣️ Text/post this stat: 📱 Some 911 dispatchers can text you a link and watch your emergency live through your phone camera. In one Virginia fire, that video saved crews about five minutes. GetKim.com

📩 Send this to someone who always says, “I never click links.”