An automated emergency dispatch system, comprising: a display unit; a communication device configured to send short message service messages, multimedia messaging service messages, or a combination thereof; an input device; and a computing device, comprising: a processor in communication with the display unit, the input device, and the communication device; and a memory in communication with processor, the memory device including computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions configured to instruct the processor to: cause the display unit to display a plurality of preprogrammed inquiries for an emergency dispatcher operating the automated emergency dispatch system to present to a person (117, 118) needing assistance; and cause the communication device to automatically transmit at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries to a device of the person needing assistance as one of an SMS message and an MMS message responsive to detecting an input from the emergency dispatcher with the input device without the emergency dispatcher copying and/or transcribing the at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries. a display unit; a communication device configured to send short message service messages, multimedia messaging service messages, or a combination thereof; an input device; and a computing device, comprising: a processor in communication with the display unit, the input device, and the communication device; and a memory in communication with processor, the memory device including computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions configured to instruct the processor to: cause the display unit to display a plurality of preprogrammed inquiries for an emergency dispatcher operating the automated emergency dispatch system to present to a person (117, 118) needing assistance; and cause the communication device to automatically transmit at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries to a device of the person needing assistance as one of an SMS message and an MMS message responsive to detecting an input from the emergency dispatcher with the input device without the emergency dispatcher copying and/or transcribing the at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries. a processor in communication with the display unit, the input device, and the communication device; and a memory in communication with processor, the memory device including computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the computer-readable instructions configured to instruct the processor to: cause the display unit to display a plurality of preprogrammed inquiries for an emergency dispatcher operating the automated emergency dispatch system to present to a person (117, 118) needing assistance; and cause the communication device to automatically transmit at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries to a device of the person needing assistance as one of an SMS message and an MMS message responsive to detecting an input from the emergency dispatcher with the input device without the emergency dispatcher copying and/or transcribing the at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries. cause the display unit to display a plurality of preprogrammed inquiries for an emergency dispatcher operating the automated emergency dispatch system to present to a person (117, 118) needing assistance; and cause the communication device to automatically transmit at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries to a device of the person needing assistance as one of an SMS message and an MMS message responsive to detecting an input from the emergency dispatcher with the input device without the emergency dispatcher copying and/or transcribing the at least one of the plurality of preprogrammed inquiries.