Calling 9-1-1 Emergency

9-1-1 is an emergency system that started 40 years ago and is a universal number everyone recognizes and can call for the Police, Fire department or Ambulance when there is an urgent situation. 

The only time to call 9-1-1 is when there is a crisis, disaster, an emergency or when your life or the life of someone else is in danger, and you need immediate help.  Calling 9-1-1 can be very overwhelming therefore; you must remain calm and give the proper information to the operator that is required to get the help you need.  You may reach a recording so make sure you listen to what it is saying.  It could be telling you “your call cannot be completed” so hang up and dial 9-1-1 again.  If the recording is telling you that all operators are busy then you must wait on the line for an operator to answer.

What happens when you call 9-1-1 

When you dial 9-1-1, you will reach a dispatcher who has been highly trained to gather information, keep control and dispatch the proper help needed.

Once on the line, the operator will ask you certain questions to determine the nature of your emergency. 

Calling from a land line 

If you are calling from a land line such as a home phone, office phone or pay phone the address you are calling from will automatically appear on the computer screen of the 9-1-1 operator.  This means that during an emergency if you do not know where you are, or if all you have time for is to dial 9-1-1 and drop the phone without saying a word the operator will know where to send help.

Calling from a cell phone

It is important to know that as long as you can get a signal, you can make a 9-1-1 call from any cell phone, even if the cell phone is NOT activated.

When you make a 9-1-1 call from a cell phone, you are sending signals through the air to the nearest tower so unlike a land line the 9-1-1 operator will not know where you are.

Calling from a cell phone will get you to a centralized 9-1-1 operator who may not be in your city.  Be prepared with the address of your location, and if you do not know where you are, you will be asked what City you are in or to describe the general area that you can see so give as much detail as you possibly can.