What is 9-1-1?

What is Enhanced 9-1-1?

Who pays for 9-1-1?

When should you use 9-1-1?

What about 9-1-1 prank calls?

How do you make a 9-1-1 call?

What if a 9-1-1 caller does not speak English?

What if a 9-1-1 caller is deaf or hearing/speech impaired?

Nine-one-one is the number most people in the U.S. and some in International countries call to get help in a police, fire or medical emergency.  Our 9-1-1 dispatchers are able to connect you with Poison Control as well as send medical assistance if needed.    A 9-1-1 call goes over dedicated phone lines to the 9-1-1 answering point closest to the caller, and trained personnel then send the emergency help needed.

Enhanced 9-1-1, or E9-1-1, is a system which routes an emergency call to the 9-1-1 center closest to the caller, AND automatically displays the caller's phone number and address. The 9-1-1 dispatcher will typically ask the caller to verify the information, which appears on his or her computer screen. In Oneida County, phone number and location information is not yet available for 9-1-1 calls made from a cellular/wireless phone.

Each household or business pays a small monthly fee for 9-1-1 service on each telephone line that appears on their phone bill. There is no per-call charge for calling 9-1-1. However, ambulances dispatched through 9-1-1 usually charge for taking someone to the hospital; this is a separate ambulance charge, not a 9-1-1 charge.

Nine-one-one is only to be used in emergency situations. An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police/sheriff, the fire department or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt of whether a situation is an emergency you should call 9-1-1. It's better to be safe and let the 9-1-1 call taker determine if you need emergency assistance.

It's a prank call when someone calls 9-1-1 for a joke, or calls 9-1-1 and hangs up. Prank calls not only waste time and money, but can also be dangerous.  If 9-1-1 lines or call takers are busy with prank calls, someone with a real emergency may not be able to get the help they need.  It is against the law to make prank 9-1-1 calls.  Children 8 years of age and older caught maliciously making calls to 9-1-1 will be turned over to Juvenile Aid.

• In an emergency, dial 9-1-1 on your phone. It's a free call. You can use any kind of phone: push button, rotary, cellular/wireless, cordless, or pay phone. (With some pay phones, you may need coins to get a dial tone; with wireless phones, Enhanced 9-1-1 does not yet work.)
• Stay calm and state your emergency
• Speak loudly and clearly.  Give the 9-1-1 dispatcher your name, phone number and the address where help is needed.
• Answer the dispatcher's questions.  Stay on the telephone if it's safe to do so, and don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to.

When necessary, a 9-1-1 call taker can add an interpreter from an outside service to the line. A non-English speaking caller may hear a short conversation in English and some clicking sounds as the interpreter is added to the line.

• If a caller uses a TTY/TDD, the caller should:
• Stay calm, place the phone receiver in the TTY, dial 9-1-1.
• After the call is answered, press the TTY keys several times. This may help shorten the time necessary to respond to the call.
• Give the call taker time to connect their TTY. If necessary, press the TTY keys again. The 9-1-1 call taker should answer and type "GA" for Go Ahead.
• Tell what is needed-police, fire department, or ambulance. Give your name, phone number and the address where help is needed.
• Stay on the telephone if it is safe. Answer the dispatcher's questions.

If a Deaf or hearing/speech impaired caller doesn't have a TTY/TDD, the caller should call 9-1-1 and don't hang up.  Not hanging up leaves the line open.   With most 9-1-1 calls, the caller's address is displayed on the dispatcher's screen and help will be sent.