Calling 9-1-1
Dial 9-1-1 ONLY when reporting a LIFE THREATENING injury or illness – or for a SERIOUS crime that is in-progress.
For non-emergencies, call 253-798-4721 [Voice/TTY].
When should I use 9-1-1?
When should I use the non-emergency number (253-798-4721)?
What information will I need to provide when I call 9-1-1?
What if I accidentally dial 9-1-1?
If I call 9-1-1 from my cell phone, do you know where I’m at? What if I’m hiking or out in the wilderness?
Where can I get information to teach my child about 9-1-1?
Where can I find more 9-1-1 educational information?
Use 9-1-1 when it is an emergency and a prompt response is needed. There could be a fight or an assault occurring right now, a fire burning or a medical problem occurring now which could be life threatening.
When you call 9-1-1, tell the Communications Officer which service you need - Fire, Police or Medical. You will then be asked questions which the Communications Officer is trained to ask. As s/he asks their questions, keep your answers as short and direct as possible. Questions can include:
- What happened?
- What is the location?
- Where are you calling from?
- What is your name?
While on the phone with the Communications Officer, help is being dispatched. Staying on the line, if asked to do so, will NOT delay help from responding. If it is possible, do not hang up the phone until the 9-1-1 Communications Officer says it is okay to hang up.
Please DO NOT call 9-1-1 and…
 say, "This is not an emergency, but…"
ask for the police non-emergency number. It is (253) 798-4721.
ask for another police department's non-emergency number. Call 411 or operator assistance.
hang-up before speaking to 9-1-1. If you do, you will be called back and a police officer may be sent to your home.
report that the power is out at your home, unless it is an emergency. Call your utility provider.
ask for a weather report or road status. Get a battery-powered radio and stay tuned to a local radio station.
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(253) 798-4721 is a ten-digit non-emergency number which you can dial 24-hours a day in Tacoma and Pierce County for non-emergency help. Using the non-emergency number keeps 9-1-1 available for true emergencies.
SOME EXAMPLES OF WHEN YOU SHOULD CALL (253) 798-4721 ARE:
- Your house or car was broken into yesterday.
- Your runaway child has returned home.
- You need to add additional items to the burglary report which you made last week.
- Your car was stolen sometime overnight.
- Someone stole your bicycle while you were at school.
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When calling 9-1-1 in an emergency:
- Give the complete address where you need help, including an apartment number or letter.
- Tell the 9-1-1 Communications Officer what the problem is – why you need help.
- Give the 9-1-1 Communications Officer your name.
- Remain calm and speak clearly.
- Give the 9-1-1 Communications Officer as much information as possible.
Other things to know when you call 9-1-1:
- Stay as calm as possible.
- Know if the street you live on runs north and south or east and west.
- Know what direction your home faces.
- Know the nearest intersection.
- Know how many houses your home is from the corner.
- Know the street behind you and in front of you.
- Let the Communications Officer control the conversation.
- Speak loud and clear, but do not scream.
- Answer the Communications Officer's questions – s/he must ask you certain questions to assist the police or fire units responding to your emergency.
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If you dial 9-1-1, even if by accident, DO NOT HANG UP. This is true even if the call is not immediately answered or if the situation changed and assistance is no longer needed.
“Hang up” 9-1-1 calls only further delay the answering of other people’s emergency calls. LESA’s Communications Center receives call-back information whenever someone dials 9-1-1 and hangs up. A communications officer must then call back to determine the reason why the 9-1-1 call was made. Bottom line: Dial 9-1-1 only in an emergency and DO NOT HANG UP until instructed to do so by the call taker.
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When you call from a cell phone, the information the communications center receives is limited. Unlike with most landlines, a cell phone cannot provide pinpoint location/address information. It is important for you to know where you are at all times in case of emergency so you can describe your location as precisely as possible – including cross streets, mileposts or landmarks. You must be able to provide the location of the emergency before help can be sent.
Cellular service may not be available in some areas or in the wilderness. If service is available, a 9-1-1 call for help will be picked up by the nearest cellular tower in the most direct line of sight to your location and could be answered by any number of 9-1-1 centers. Since these 9-1-1 centers may be located outside the boundary of the calling area, emergency responders would have no way of knowing where you’re calling from unless you tell them. Be prepared to provide your location – including trailhead and nearest city, destination or waypoints – and know how to increase your signal strength. Ways to increase your cellular signal strength include: pointing your antenna up, find a clearing, gain elevation or even turning your body (your body may obstruct the signal). Remember, when you’re in a remote location help may be several hours away or longer. Use 9-1-1 only in case of an actual emergency. If your 9-1-1 call is disconnected, call 9-1-1 again.
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In addition to the information on our website, this flyer from the National Crime Prevention Council may be helpful.
If you would like a group presentation for your school, youth group or community group, please see LESA’s In the Community page.
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