Alert Iowa

Emergency 911 Information

Facts You Should Know about 911

911 IS TO BE USED FOR EMERGENCIES

Calls to 911 should be made for but not limited to: Crimes in progress; suspicious activity or behavior; Fires; Traffic accidents; Medical emergencies.
911 should NOT be used for: Checking time and temperature; Directory Assistance; Loss of electricity/cable/water.
KNOW YOUR CELLULAR PHONE
You should not drive while talking on a cellular phone, this increases the chance to either be in or cause an accident. When you carry your cellular phone, check for a “key lock” feature. When phones are carried in a pocket or in a purse, pressing any key for a period of time will send a call to 911. When you use the key lock (sometimes called a key guard) feature, this will not happen.
WHEN YOU CALL 911 YOU WILL BE ASKED:
Your name; Your location (street address); The phone number you are calling from and the nature of the problem.
For landline users who question why you are being asked this information thinking that it should be on a screen in front of the dispatcher, it is to verify that the information is correct. There are times when the calling party has just moved and the information has not yet been received, therefore the database has not been updated. For cellular users, this information is not yet available and therefore has to be verified.

Emergency 911 Questions

Enhanced 911 identifies the telephone number and address of a person placing the emergency call from a landline.