A method of requesting emergency services via an emergency services request application executing on a mobile device operating in a wireless communication network. The method includes determining, by the application, a location of the mobile device. Based at least in part on the location, the wireless communication network determines a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP)/emergency service responder to contact. The application then attempts to initiate a chat session with the PSAP to request emergency services. The application next receives a response to initiating the chat session from the PSAP. The response may be some type of acknowledgement from the PSAP of a successful initiation of the chat session or may be a bounce-back message indicating an unsuccessful initiation of the chat session.