Calling 9-1-1
Yes. 911 is available nationwide from any phone with service, whether it’s a landline, wireless, or VoIP phone. In fact, federal regulations require that all wireless carriers route 911 calls, even from cell phones that do not have an active service plan, as long as the phone can connect to a network. This means you can dial 911 from a non-service-initialized cellphone in an emergency.
Call 911 for any situation that requires immediate police, fire, or medical response. This includes crimes in progress, fires, serious injuries, medical emergencies, or situations that threaten life or property. 911 should only be used for emergencies. For information, use county websites, local news, or non-emergency numbers. Our non-emergency number is 770-461-4357.
If you believe someone’s safety or property is at risk, call 911. For non-urgent matters, use the non-emergency number 770-461-HELP (4357)
Do not hang up. Stay on the line and tell the communications officer there is no emergency. Hanging up will result in a call-back and possibly an officer being sent to check on you.
Yes, but your call will be routed to the nearest 911 center. You will need to give the communications officer the exact location of the emergency so they can connect you to the correct agency.
If someone is experiencing an emergency, it’s always best for them to call 911 directly because they can provide the most accurate and immediate information. If a loved one calls you first, tell them to hang up and dial 911 right away—you can call too, but responders need their details most.
If someone is experiencing an emergency, it’s always best for them to call 911 directly because they can provide the most accurate and immediate information. If a loved one calls you first, tell them to hang up and dial 911 right away—you can call too, but responders need their details most.
The 911 Call Process
It is important that you listen to and answer the questions asked. A trained communications officer will ask questions to determine what help is needed and send police, fire, or EMS. They may give you safety instructions while help is on the way.
Help is dispatched as soon as we have enough information. Additional questions help responders arrive prepared for the situation.
You may not be calling from the location of the emergency, so we need to know exactly where the emergency is. Location information from cell phones is not always exact. Receiving and confirming your location quickly ensures help is sent to the right place.
If it’s safe, stay on the line and listen for instructions. If you are calling from a cellphone, we will automatically text you a link that will allow you to chat with us if it is safe. You can also give us access to see what your camera sees, so that our communications officers can relay what is happening to responders.
Other Concerns & Considerations
911 has access to interpreters in many languages. Tell the dispatcher your language, and they will connect an interpreter to assist you.
Communications officers are trained to handle these calls. You can use a TTY device, a relay service, or if calling from a cellular device in Fayette County, you can open a text chat with the communications officer who answered your call.
In some areas, Text-to-911 may be available. If you attempt to text an agency that does not have Text-to-911 you will receive a message instructing you to dial 9-1-1 in that area.
In some areas, Text-to-911 may be available. If you attempt to text an agency that does not have Text-to-911 you will receive a message instructing you to dial 9-1-1 in that area.
We cannot guarantee specific personnel, but all responders are trained to provide the same level of professional care.
If your emergency is in another jurisdiction, your call will be transferred to that jurisdiction so the right agency can respond.
If someone is experiencing an emergency, it’s always best for them to call 911 directly because they can provide the most accurate and immediate information. If a loved one calls you first, tell them to hang up and dial 911 right away—you can call too, but responders need their details most.
If someone is experiencing an emergency, it’s always best for them to call 911 directly because they can provide the most accurate and immediate information. If a loved one calls you first, tell them to hang up and dial 911 right away—you can call too, but responders need their details most.
Yes, all 911 calls are recorded. You may request a copy through an open records request by clicking the link on the right side of this page.
Contact our administrative offices during business hours or send an e-mail.
Public Outreach & Education
Tours are available for schools, community, and civic groups. Contact us to schedule a tour.
Yes, we provide presentations on when to call 911, how the system works, and safety tips. If you would like us to do a presentation for your group or organization, please contact us during business hours.
Absolutely. Children should know their home address, phone number, and when to call 911, understanding that it is only for real emergencies and never for fun. Practice in a safe, supervised way so they feel confident in an emergency. Remember that even a non-service initialized cellphone can dial 911, so never press the “call” button during practice.