Calling 9-1-1 From a Cell Phone

Historically, when dialling 9-1-1 from a cellular telephone, the caller would reach the emergency services agency that services the area where the cellular tower signals were going through; hence, hopefully getting the caller in contact with the emergency services agency who would be closest to respond to the caller - most often going through the state highway emergency services systems.

However, as technology changes, so too does the world of calling 9-1-1 from a cellular phone.

Today, with cellular calls going through computers (Voice Over I.P.) and cable lines, it is often difficult to determine where the call is originating. Many emergency services agencies have "caller i.d." on their incoming phone lines, but if the caller is calling from a cellular phone whose mailing address is in California, but the caller is physically on a tour of duty in Iraq and needs help over seas, unfortunately, the agency in California will have to figure out how to transfer the caller to the area agency they need. This can result in long delays, confusion, and ultimately losing the caller without being able to help them.

Therefore, as with the last blog, be sure you know where you are when you call for help so that you can quickly and accurately relay this information to the emergency services operator. Also, do not cause un-necessary delays by being evasive, uncooperative, or offended by multiple questions revolving around your phone number and location. This is all done for YOUR safety, as YOU are the one calling for help.

How To Call 9-1-1 In An Emergency

Hopefully, many of us will never have the need to call 9-1-1 for help. But, chances are, you may be one of the hundreds of thousands of callers each year. If not for yourself or for your family, it would help your community as a whole, if people properly utilized the system.

First, 9-1-1 is for EMERGENCIES. If you have time to contemplate whether or not you have an emergency, chances are you do not have an emergency.

Emergencies are LIFE or DEATH situations. Emergencies include incidents involving weapons, bodily injuries, and imminent threats. Incidents that already happened (ie. the burglary to your home that happened two days ago and the suspect is long gone quite possibly with all of your valuables), that do not involve bodily injuries, and do not include imminent threats, are often not considered emergencies. These types of calls need to be directed to non-emergency operations.

However, always be on the safe side. Many of the same operators answer the non-emergency calls in between answering 9-1-1 calls, so if you do not know where to field your complaint, this is the information you need to have on hand when you call.

First, KNOW YOUR LOCATION. This means knowing your address. Do not force the operator to ask un-necessary questions, trying to narrow down this information. Make sure you know where you are when you call. If you do not know the exact address, give cross streets; exact cross streets. General vicinities can cause lengthy delays and frustration, as the information you provide goes directly to the officer who is trying to find you.

Second, KNOW YOUR PHONE NUMBER. This is the number you are dialling from. Do not ask the operator if they want your home phone, your cell phone, your neighbor's phone; simply provide them with the phone number you are calling from. They are asking this not to sign you up for some telephone survey, but rather to have a life-link to you if the phone line disconnects. Additionally, if you are wrong about your location, sometimes your telephone number can assist in finding out where you are calling from.

Third, and most important - JUST ANSWER THE QUESTIONS. If you are on 9-1-1,really DO have an emergency, and the operator (or partner) is dispatching officers to you while you are speaking to them...They do not need to know the long version; they need to know the short version of what your emergency is. Just the facts - and FAST. Be sure to give them any LIFE or DEATH information FIRST. This includes the location of any guns, knives, or other objects that could cause the emergency responders danger.

Remember, the 9-1-1 operator cannot send help until they know where to send it. So, this information comes FIRST. After the 9-1-1 operator has established the basics, keep in mind that YOU need to paint a picture to them for the officers to determine their response plan. YOU need to relay the dangers to help your heros. This includes descriptions of involved parties.

The emergency responders have no idea what to expect, other than what you relay to them through the 9-1-1 operator. You might think that if the officers are coming, that is where YOUR responsibility ends. This is not always true.

There may be bad guys at the scene of an emergency. You may be the only link to "eyes on" the scene for the officer to know where the bad guy is/fled to. This could save YOUR life and that of the officer's life - if they are able to know what they are facing BEFORE they arrive. This may include the 9-1-1 operator wanting to know the physical description (including race), clothing descriptions, vehicle descriptions, license plates, direction of flight, and location of weapons (if known). It is OK to say that you do not know something that you are being asked. But, it is NOT OK for the 9-1-1 operator NOT to ask. It is their job. They have to make every attempt to keep their officers safe; the very officers you expect will keep you safe. Makes sense.