| Making a 9-1-1 Call From Your Cell Phone |
| Frequently Asked Questions Q: 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 calltaker 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. Q: Does the 9-1-1 calltaker know my location? A: Assume the 9-1-1 calltaker does not know your location. Even if your cell phone is able to provide GPS location information, the chances are you will need to provide the 9-1-1 calltaker 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. Q: What if I don’t know my location 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! Q: Why does the dispatcher transfer my call to another agency? A: Your call to 9-1-1 may need to be transferred to another agency because cell phone calls are sent to a 9-1-1 answering point based on cell radio coverage. Cell coverage areas don’t always match political boundaries, so most calls are routed to a 9-1-1 answering point that serves the majority of the area. Your call may need to be transferred to the appropriate agency for the area. Q: 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 calltaker 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. Q: Should I program 9-1-1 or turn on my auto 9-1-1 feature on my cellular phone? A: NO, please don’t program 9-1-1 or use the auto 9-1-1 feature. There are numerous accidental calls to 9-1-1 from cell phones that have this feature. The callers often don’t realize that their phone has called 9-1-1. Help reduce accidental calls to 9-1-1 by only calling when you have a life-threatening emergency. |
| Please Remove The Battery, Before Allowing Children To Play With A Phone. Cell Phones That Do Not Have Service Can Still Dial 9-1-1 |
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