Crime Prevention Tip

Dialing 9-1-1

When you dial 911, the system directs your call to a public safety dispatch center. These public safety dispatch centers are operated by your local police department and staffed by highly trained personnel.

• It is important that you stay on the line and tell the dispatcher what help is needed and where it is needed.
• Dispatchers are trained to ask you questions that are helpful in determining which agency should respond and how quickly. By answering these questions, you are helping them provide the best possible response.
• There are no charges for dialing 911 to request assistance, but there may be charges for services provided, such as ambulance transportation. Those charges could result regardless of the number dialed.
• You can dial 911 from a pay phone without depositing a coin.
• If you have a cellular phone, you can dial 911 and your call will be answered by a dispatcher. However, your call may be inadvertently routed to another jurisdiction, so it is important that you pay attention to this, adequately relate your current location and what department you are in need of contacting.  Your call will then be immediately transferred to the proper agency.  There is no charge for dialing 911 from a cellular phone.
• If it is not a life-threatening emergency, look up the seven digit number for the agency in the phone book.  Jefferson City’s non-emergency number is 634-6400.
• All police, fire and emergency medical services will respond to your needs as quickly as possible. If these agencies are busy, a response will be provided in the order of urgency.
• When you travel, check the local phone book for the dialing instructions on pay phones to find out if 911 is available.
• Teletype for the Deaf (TDD) users need to press the space bar after dialing 911.

How to Make an Emergency Call to 911

• Try to stay calm. Take a deep breath.
• Dial 911 right away. Don't wait for someone else to call.
• Tell the person who answers the phone exactly what is wrong.
• Tell them the exact address where help is needed. Be sure to give them the FULL address, including any apartment number, suite number, space number, etc.
• Tell them the phone number you are calling from. If you are not at the same address as the emergency, tell them the address where you are.
• Tell them your name.

DO NOT HANG UP until the person on the phone tells you to do so. They may need to ask you for more information to help the fire, police or ambulance find you.

9-1-1 Communications Center

9-1-1 for Kids