To best respond to an emergency situation, call-takers, dispatchers, and first responders need your help. Familiarize yourself and those living or visiting your home with the following tips to ensure that the 9-1-1 call-taker will be able to process your emergency call efficiently and send assistance as quickly as possible.
9-1-1 NEEDS TO KNOW WHERE TO GO
- When texting 9-1-1, one of the first things you’ll be asked for is the specific address of the emergency.
- The call-taker may not automatically know your location, or may ask you to confirm it.
- Make sure you provide as much detail as possible (landmarks, cross streets, mile posts, and so on).
KNOW YOUR CELL WELL
- Text location information doesn’t work as well as voice cell location.
- As with all text messages, 9-1-1 text messages can sometimes take longer to receive, might be out of order, or might not be received.
- Text-to-911 might not work if you’re
- If text-to-911 is not available in your area, or is temporarily unavailable, you will receive a message indicating that text-to-911 service is not available, and that you should call by voice instead.
- Photos and video can’t be sent to 9-1-1 at this
- Text-to-911 can’t include more than one person. Don’t include anyone else in your
- Don’t text and drive!
HOW TO TEXT 9-1-1 IN AN EMERGENCY
- Enter the numbers “911” in the “To”
- The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and should contain (at least) the specific address of the emergency.
- Push the “Send”
- Text in clear, simple words—don’t use
- Keep text messages brief and concise
CALL IF YOU CAN, TEXT IF YOU CAN’T
- It’s almost always easier and more efficient for you to call 9-1-1 instead of sending a text. Call if you can—text if you can’t.
HELP 9-1-1 HELP YOU
- Text 9-1-1 for emergencies only. It is appropriate to text 9-1-1 when you need to save a life, stop a crime, or report a fire.
- Lock your keypad when you’re not using your phone, so you don’t text or call 9-1-1 by accident. And don’t put 9-1-1 in your phone book, for the same reason.
- Don’t give old phones to children as
- If you accidentally text 9-1-1, stay in contact and let the call-taker know it was accidental.
- Only activated, currently-paid cell phones can text 9-1-1, but calling 9-1-1 is always allowed.
ROCKLAND COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION LOUIS FALCO III, SHERIFF ADAM C. FEUER, CHIEF
