What is  9-1-1?

Nine-one-one is the number to call to get help in a police, fire or medical emergency. (In Texas you can also reach a regional poison center by calling 9-1-1 for a poison emergency). 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.
 
 

Who pays for 9-1-1?

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

When should you use 9-1-1?

Nine-one-one is only to be used in emergency situations. An emergency is any situation which requires immediate response from the police/sheriff, the fire department, or an ambulance. If you are ever in doubt, call 9-1-1. It's best to be safe and let the call taker determine if it's an emergency.
 
 

Do not call 9-1-1:

        for information
        for paying tickets
        for directory assistance
        for your pet
        when you're bored and
        as a prank
        just want to talk
 
 

If you call 9-1-1 by mistake, do not hang up. Tell the call taker what happened, so he/she knows that there is no emergency.
 
 

What about prank 9-1-1 calls?

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 9-1-1 call takers are busy with prank calls, someone with a real emergency may not be able to get the help they need. In most places, it is against the law to make prank 9-1-1 calls.

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

In an emergency, call 9-1-1. It's a free call. You can use any kind of phone: push button, rotary, cellular, cordless or pay phone. (With some pay phones, you may need coins to get a dial tone).

        Stay calm and state your emergency.

        Speak loudly and clearly. Give the 9-1-1 call taker your name, phone number and the address where help is needed.

        Answer the call taker's questions. Stay on the telephone if it is safe to do so, and don't hang up until the call taker tells you to.
 
 

What if a 9-1-1 caller doesn't speak English?

When necessary, the 9-1-1 call taker can add an interpreter from the AT&T Language Line service, which offers translation in more than 140 different languages. A non-English speaking caller may hear a short conversation in English and some clicking sounds as an interpreter is added to the 9-1-1 call.
 
 

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

Communication centers which answer 9-1-1 calls have special text telephones for responding to 9-1-1 calls from deaf or hearing/speech impaired callers.
 

If a caller uses TTY/TDD, the caller should:

        Stay calm, place the phone receiver into the TTY, call 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 keys of the TTY again. The 9-1-1 call taker will answer and type a "GA."

        Tell what is needed - police, fire department or ambulance. Give your name, phone number and address where help is needed.

        Stay on the telephone if it is safe. Answer the call taker'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 call taker's screen and police will be sent.
 
 

I thought 9-1-1 was a telephone service.  Why do we have to have a staff to take care of it?

9-1-1 is a telephone service but it is not administered by the telephone company.  Until 1987 the service was administered and paid for by either the city or the county.  In 1987 Texas created new laws governing 9-1-1 service and the result has been many requirements.  Also, as new features of the service became available (Enhanced 9-1-1) there are many implementation and maintenance requirements.  The bottom line is that legal regulations and technical issues require a lot of detailed attention.  Any system that must work so accurately and efficiently deserves full time attention.
 
 

What is ENHANCED 9-1-1?

First let's define BASIC 9-1-1 service.  With Basic 9-1-1, you dial the digits 9-1-1 and your call is sent to a public safety agency.  With Enhanced 9-1-1 your call arrives with your telephone number and your address.  Another feature of Enhanced 9-1-1 is called Selective Routing.  Selective routing allows the call to be sent to a pre-defined public safety answering point.  For example, a portion of the city of  Odessa is located in Midland county.  Without selective routing, 9-1-1 calls from that area would be sent to Midland and response would be delayed because the Midland agencies are located further away than the Odessa agencies.

Is the ability to see my phone number the same as the Caller ID I get at home?
Similar, but not exactly.  For one thing, the number display with a 9-1-1 call includes information that tells the dispatcher which fire, medical or law enforcement agency is responsible for your address.
 
 

What if I don't want my phone number and address to be seen at the public safety agency?

Each area in Texas is required by law to furnish emergency 7-digit numbers that can be used for reporting emergencies.  You'll find them listed in the front of the telephone book.  However, you should consider the consequences if you are unable to give the correct address (the stress of an emergency often makes a caller forget where they are calling from and young children may not know the street address).
 
 

Is the 9-1-1 District a local or state agency?

9-1-1 Districts are distinct governmental entities, separate and distinct from other local government.  Their jurisdiction is generally county-wide but some include several counties.  Besides 9-1-1 Districts, there are other entities that administer 9-1-1 service in Texas.
Home Rule Cities and Councils of Government also administer 9-1-1 service.