TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (AP) — Indiana is taking the lead nationally on offering the ability to send a text messages to 911 emergency responders.

Barry Ritter, executive director of the Indiana Statewide 911 Board, says Indiana has the largest deployment of the service in the country. It’s currently available in 88 of the state’s 92 counties.

• RELATED: Elkhart County leading northern Indiana in using text-to-911 services, Feb. 27, 2015

The (Terre Haute) Tribune-Star reports that Ritter credits the state’s decision to handle wireless 911 as a statewide initiative with its ability to become a leader in such services.

Most states only offer Text-to-911 service in some areas. The Federal Communications Commission says Illinois only offers it in about five areas of Cook, Clinton and Champaign counties.

Text-to-911 is available in markets where call centers have opted to accept emergency text messages from the public.