Short answer. In the United States, 911 is the emergency number for police, fire and ambulance nationwide 1. You can text 911 only where the local call center supports it; a voice call remains preferred 1. 988 reaches the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 2. To find an open disaster shelter, text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362 3.
Which numbers should every household know?
| Number | Use |
|---|---|
| 911 | Police, fire, ambulance; voice preferred, text where supported 1 |
| 988 | Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 2 |
| 43362 | Text SHELTER + your ZIP code to find open shelters (standard message rates apply) 3 |
Write these numbers in your family plan and keep a copy with your kit, in case a phone battery runs out.
Can I text 911?
Only where your local 911 call center supports it 1. The FCC's guidance is to call when you can: voice remains the preferred way to reach 911 1. Check whether your area supports it before you rely on it.
Who to contact for official information?
| Agency | Role | Website |
|---|---|---|
| FEMA / Ready.gov | Federal preparedness and IPAWS alerts | https://www.ready.gov |
| Nuclear Regulatory Commission | Potassium iodide, nuclear plant emergency planning | https://www.nrc.gov |
| Federal Communications Commission | Wireless Emergency Alerts, 911 | https://www.fcc.gov |
FEMA coordinates federal preparedness and the IPAWS alert system; states and localities run the response. During an emergency, the instructions that apply to you come from your state and local officials, through the channels on our U.S. alerts page 4.
For questions about potassium iodide, see our U.S. iodine page.
Frequently asked questions
Is 911 the same everywhere in the U.S.?
Yes. 911 is the emergency number nationwide 1.
Does text-to-911 work everywhere?
No. It works only where the local call center supports it, and voice calls remain preferred 1.
What is 988?
The Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 2.
How do I find an open shelter by phone?
Text SHELTER and your ZIP code to 43362; standard message rates apply 3.
Sources
- Federal Communications Commission — Text to 911: What You Need to Know — https://www.fcc.gov/consumers/guides/what-you-need-know-about-text-911 (accessed 2026-10-20)
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline — https://988lifeline.org/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- FEMA / Ready.gov — Shelter — https://www.ready.gov/shelter (accessed 2026-10-20)
- FEMA / Ready.gov — Emergency Alerts — https://www.ready.gov/alerts (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for United States, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Federal Communications Commission · Text to 911: What You Need to Know checked 2026-10-20
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline · 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline checked 2026-10-20
- FEMA / Ready.gov · Shelter checked 2026-10-20
- FEMA / Ready.gov · Emergency Alerts checked 2026-10-20