Calling 911
Calling 911 in an Emergency
When calling 911 in an emergency:
Remain calm and speak clearly.
Do not scream into the Phone.
Give the complete address where you need help.
Include an apartment number or room number if appropriate.
Tell the 911 dispatcher what the problem is.
Why you need help; and what type of assistance:
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Fire
Police
Answer all of the dispatcher's questions.
They may ask you certain questions to help the police, fire, or EMS units responding to your emergency.
Give the 911 dispatcher your name and contact information if requested.
Other Considerations When Calling 911
Do not hang up until the 911 dispatcher tells you too. If you hang up before speaking to the 911 operator, they will call you back; and you may get a visit from a Police Officer.
If you Dial 911 by mistake, stay on the line and say, "This is not an emergency," then explain what happened.
Please do not call to:
Ask for general phone numbers
Ask for road conditions
Ask for weather information
Report a power outage
Call your utility service provider regarding service outages. If your power is out, use a battery-powered radio to monitor a local radio station for important weather updates. For weather and road conditions, please refer to local weather channels. For all other inquiries, ask Google.
If you dial 911 from your cell phone, please use extreme caution, and consider pulling over to a safe area before calling; be prepared to give the dispatcher your location-including any prominent landmarks. Some cell phones do not have GPS enabled, and therefore may not show the dispatcher your current location.