911 Tips & FAQs
Prepare yourself, in the event of an emergency, with the following tips:
- Teach children when and how to use 9-1-1
- During a power outage phones that require an electrical outlet will not work; simple phones do
Civic Address
- Know your civic address; it may differ from your mailing address
- Your civic address is the street name and number that are assigned to your residence for 9-1-1 emergency purposes
- Write your address and phone number in large print on, or near your telephone
- Make sure the street address numbers on your residence are clearly visible
- When away from home, always know your location
Cellular Phones
- If you call 9-1-1 from your cellular phone, you MUST know your location
- If your location is unknown, be prepared to describe it with cross streets
- Emergency responders in Ontario CAN’T currently track the location of your cell phone using embedded GPS technology
Internet Phone Service
- Subscribers of Voice over Internet protocol (VoIP or broadband) telephone services may not have access to the 9-1-1 service
- Taking your VoIP phone with you to another location may compromise your 9-1-1 service
- It is the subscriber’s responsibility to confirm 9-1-1 service details with their VoIP provider
- Know your location if you call 9-1-1 using a VoIP phone
Prank 9-1-1 Calls
- Prank 9-1-1 calls are a criminal offence
- If dispatchers are busy with prank or non-emergency calls someone with a real emergency may not get the help they need
| Frequently Asked Questions |
|
| What Happens When I Call 9-1-1? |
Answer |
- When you call 9-1-1, your call will be answered by a trained operator at a central emergency call centre
- The operator will ask you if you require police, fire or ambulance and then connect you with the emergency service you require
- When you are connected to the emergency service that you requested, you will be asked about the nature of the emergency
- ALWAYS KNOW YOUR LOCATION
- Stay on the line and DO NOT HANG UP unless your safety is at risk or you are instructed to by the operator
|
| When Should I Dial 9-1-1? |
Answer |
|
Only Call 9-1-1 In An Emergency
|
| What Shouldn't I Call 9-1-1 For? |
Answer |
- General inquiries and non-emergency situations
- Directory assistance
- Information about road conditions, school closings or to get directions
- Fallen power lines (call your local electricity provider instead)
|
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