"Call 911" and phones

[9mmepiphany]

That is all good information.

In CA, 9-1-1 calls go to CHP dispatch...since the original intent was for motorist having an emergency on the roadway. You have to know which is your local LEA to ask to be transferred to

 

[Librarian]

In CA, 9-1-1 calls go to CHP dispatch...since the original intent was for motorist having an emergency on the roadway. You have to know which is your local LEA to ask to be transferred to

A number of cities in CA have implemented their own PSAP - Public Safety Access Points - so the calls are routed to the correct agency without involving the poor overloaded CHP 911 operators. I know San Francisco has their own. Davis police say they have theirs.

See http://www.cio.ca.gov/PSCO/Services/911/default.htm

You would know you have hit a transfer PSAP if your operator answers something like '911 emergency, what city please?'

 

[psyopspec]

* Lastly, if you've not yet, there is no harm in dialing 911 from your cell phone to test it and see a) which dispatch center it goes to, and b) what the readout says and how close the GPS puts your call relative to your real location. Remember, 'Phase II' 911 is not foolproof. It's better than what it used to be, but it still won't pinpoint you to me if I need to send you assistance.

What would one say to the dispatcher? Something along the lines of "Hi, I'm calling today because I'm new to this area and wanted to know what agency would answer my emergency call. Can you also tell me what read you have on my location? I'd like to know in case I ever require emergency services."

Or should it be something else? As a regular Joe type, I honestly thought any calls that didn't require emergency services to 911 could possibly be illegal.

 

[Fred Fuller]

Don't most areas of the US have E911 (enhanced 911, which reports the phone number and address of the land line) by now?

I'd check with the NON-emergency number of the agency I was curious about for details of their 911 or E911 service, rather than actually calling 911 to ask... around here if you dial 911, they lock onto your cell phone and won't release it until THEY are through with YOU, not the other way around.

 

[Al Thompson]

One thing I emphasized to my niece and nephew was to get your address or nearest intersection out first to let the folks at the other end of the line at least know where to send the cavalry.

 

[easyg]

This got me thinking. At best, on my smart phone, I would have to find it (fairly easy), hit the emergency button (kinda easy) and then type 9-1-1 on my smart phone with no tactile feedback (well, it vibrates, but unless I'm looking at it I can't be exactly sure of what I hit), and then send. If I want to connect my Bluetooth (which I normally keep bluetooth disabled to conserve battery) I would have additional steps before I am totally hands-free.

If you are in immediate danger, deal with the threat first.
You can call 911 after the threat has been nullified.

And if you're not in immediate danger you'll have time to calmly dial 911.

 

[Kleanbore]

Posted by easyg: If you are in immediate danger, deal with the threat first.

Certainly, a condition of imminent danger requires immediate action.

And if you're not in immediate danger you'll have time to calmly dial 911.

I would not count on that. There are any number of possible circumstances in which one may need to call to get help on the way before the use of defensive weapons would be necessary or justified, when "calmly" would not describe the situation, and when it would not be desirable to devote one's attention to trying to figure out how to do so.

The OP's question is a good one.

 

[easyg]

I would not count on that. There are any number of possible circumstances in which one may need to call to get help on the way before the use of defensive weapons would be necessary or justified, when "calmly" would not describe the situation, and when it would not be desirable to devote one's attention to trying to figure out how to do so.

Give us some examples.

 

[Kleanbore]

Give us some examples.

Someone yelling for help outside...dogs barking because of someone suspicious in your yard...prowler breaking into your unoccupied automobile...someone in your unattached garage...suspicious sudden power failure affecting only your house...someone fiddling with your basement window while you are upstairs....

Would you "calmly" dial 911? Would you want to have to distract your full attention from the problem while you made the call?

How many more examples you want?

 

[joneb]

I would get a hold of 1911 first and 911 second