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Cell Phones and 9-1-1
Be prepared to tell the 9-1-1 dispatcher:
- The location of the emergency (Address, street intersection, landmarks, city, county, mile marker, etc.)
- Your cell phone number
- What the emergency is and what type of assistance is needed
Remember:
- Stay calm and speak clearly!
- Do not hang up until the 9-1-1 dispatcher has obtained all of the information that is needed.
- Since you are calling from a cell phone, your call may be disconnected if the signal is lost. Be sure to call back if you are cut off.
- When calling 9-1-1 on a cellular phone, be sure to stop if you are in a moving vehicle. It is difficult to obtain all of the information needed if you are getting further from the emergency.
Can I call 9-1-1 on my cell phone and is there a cost involved?
A: Yes, you can call 9-1-1 on your cell phone. However, be prepared to give the 9-1-1 dispatcher information about your location, because it is not like calling 9-1-1 on your home phone.
It is free to call 9-1-1 on your cell phone?
A. Yes. It is even free to call 9-1-1 from a pay phone.
Does the 9-1-1 dispatcher know my location?
A: Assume the 9-1-1 dispatcher does not know your location. Even if your cell phone is able to provide location information, the chances are you will need to provide the 9-1-1 dispatcher with additional location information. Remember, the approximate location the 9-1-1 center receives could be as large as 3 football fields or more. Be prepared to give specific directions to your location.
What if I don’t know where I’m at when I call 9-1-1?
A: Look for landmarks, large buildings, street signs or paperwork nearby that may contain address information. Think back to the main street or highway you were near when your emergency occurred. If others are around, ask them where you are. Do not depend on your cell phone to tell 9-1-1 where you are!
Does the 9-1-1 dispatcher know my phone number when I call 9-1-1 on a cell phone?
A: Maybe or maybe not, depending upon your cell phone and the technology available within the 9-1-1 center your 9-1-1 call connects with. The safest way to approach the problem is to assume that the 9-1-1 dispatcher will not know your phone number and be prepared to provide them with that information.
Why is the 911 dispatcher asking me so many questions?
A: Seconds save lives. The more questions 9-1-1 dispatchers ask, the more information they can pass on to the emergency personnel responding to your 9-1-1 call. This information allows the emergency personnel to more accurately prepare. In addition, when dealing with medical calls many 9-1-1 dispatchers are trained to give emergency pre-arrival instructions. These instructions start the emergency response to the situation immediately.
While the 911 dispatcher is speaking to me is help being sent?
A: Once the basic information and reason for the 9-1-1 call is obtained, the 9-1-1 dispatcher stays on the line with the caller and sends information to the Police dispatcher. That person then dispatches, or sends, the appropriate help to the 9-1-1 caller. In many cases, the 9-1-1 dispatcher will continue to ask questions, give emergency response information and pass on situation updates to the responding personnel until help arrives at the scene.
What do I do if I’m cut off after they answer?
A: Always try to call 9-1-1 back. Don’t wait for 9-1-1 dispatcher to try to contact you. They may not have received your cell phone number in the initial 9-1-1 call and may need additional information.
Can I keep driving when I call 9-1-1 on a cellular phone?
A: It is best to pull over when calling 9-1-1, as there is less chance of the cell phone signal being dropped if in a stationary location. Additionally, any emergency instructions that need to be carried out can best be done while stopped. Finally, if help needs to reach you it is best to be in one place so help can get to you, instead of trying to meet them somewhere. If you cannot safely pull over to speak to 9-1-1 then stay calm, pay attention to the roadway with surrounding vehicles, and follow the 9-1-1 dispatcher’s instructions.
