WIRELESS AND 911

Call 911 whenever you need emergency help from police, fire or emergency medical personnel.

Identify yourself as a cellular (cell) phone caller. Be ready to provide your cell phone number and the exact location where help is needed. Cell phone 911 needs to know where the emergency is before help can be sent. Your cell phone may be pre-programmed to dial 911 with one button. You could accidentally call 911 and not even know it just by sitting on your phone, carrying your phone in your purse or briefcase, etc. Handle your cell phone carefully to prevent the automatic misdialing of 911.

911 IN THE WILDERNESS

Cell phone service may not be available in the wilderness. If service is available, your 911 call for help will be picked up by the nearest cellular tower in the most direct line of sight to your location. It could be answered at a county 911 center, by the State Patrol, or even by the Canadian authorities. Since these call answering centers are all located outside the boundaries of the calling area, they would have no way of knowing from where you are calling unless you tell them. Be prepared to provide your location and know how to increase your signal strength, to include: pointing your antenna up; finding a clearing; gaining elevation; and turning your body-your body may be obstructing the signal. Remember, help may be several hours away or longer. Use 911 only in case of an actual emergency. When your call is answered, be sure to tell them:

  • Your location, including the trailhead and nearest city, destination or waypoints.
  • Your name and the cell phone number, including the area code.
  • If your 911 call is disconnected, call 911 again.

911 CALLS FROM YOUR AUTO

When you dial 911 from your vehicle, identify yourself as a cell phone caller and provide your cell phone number and the exact location where help is needed. Be sure to convey:

  • The nature of the emergency.
  • The exact location, including cross streets, mileposts or landmarks.
  • Remember, we do not know where you are.
  • You must be able to provide the location of the emergency before help can be sent.
  • Your name and the cell phone number, including the area code.
  • If your 911 call is disconnected, call 911 again.

BOATING AND 911 CALLS

Cell phone service may not be available on all waters. If service is available, your 911 call for assistance will be picked up by the nearest cellular tower in the most direct line of sight to your location. The 911 center receiving your call has no way of knowing from where you are calling unless you tell them. Be prepared to provide your location. Use 911 only in an actual emergency. Cell phones may be used to call 911 during a boating emergency. A cell phone is an excellent backup communications’ device. However, a cell phone is not a substitute for a VHF-FM marine radio. A marine radio has several distinct advantages over a cell phone. With the relative low cost and compact size of a marine radio, any boater on any size craft (including canoes and kayaks) should carry a radio. When using a cell phone to call 911, be sure you know how your cell phone works and how to increase the phone’s signal strength. Point antenna up; turn your body-your body may be obstructing signal; find a clearing. Move from behind a mountain or island. Get on the boat’s highest point.
When your call is answered, provide the call taker with the following information:

  • Your name and your cell phone number, including the area code.
  • From where you are calling: on a boat, island, or shore.
  • The emergency situation.
  • Condition of vessel/name of vessel.
  • Number of people on board.
  • Condition/health/ages of people on board.
  • How long you can stay afloat, if sinking.
  • Your location or last known location.
  • Time and point of departure from dock.
  • Your designation.
  • Weather condition.
  • Identify the survival equipment available.
  • If your 911 call is disconnected, call 9-1-1 again.