Enhanced 911

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Rockland County has implemented an Enhanced 911 system to be used to contact your local Fire, Police and EMS for emergency situations.

 

What is 911?

  • 911 is the universal emergency number to be used when immediate help is needed from police, fire, or ambulance services.
  • It connects you to a local Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) where a dispatcher will assess the situation and send appropriate help.
  • When called from your landline phone it will give the local PSAP Dispatcher your location information
  • 911 is intended for emergency situations only and should not be used for non-emergency matters. 

 

When to Call 911:

  • Life-threatening medical emergencies: Chest pain, difficulty breathing, unconsciousness, severe bleeding, seizures.
  • Fires: Any fire that requires immediate attention, including buildings, cars, and brush fires.
  • Crimes in progress: Burglaries, robberies, assaults, or any situation where a crime is currently happening.
  • Serious accidents: Car crashes, especially with injuries, or accidents involving hazardous materials.
  • Situations where immediate police, fire, or ambulance response are needed. 

 

What to do When Calling 911:

  1. Stay calm and speak clearly.
  2. Provide your location: Give your address or as much detail as possible. 
  3. State the nature of the emergency.
  4. Answer the dispatcher's questions.
  5. Follow the dispatcher's instructions.
  6. Don't hang up until the dispatcher tells you to. 

House with Numbers

 

Text to 911

  • Rockland County has initiated Text to 911 to be used if you are unable or the situation requires a non-verbal emergency notification.
  • Send a text message to 911 including nature of emergency, location, other key information

 

Important Notes:

  • If you accidentally call 911, don't hang up. Stay on the line and explain it was a mistake.
  • Misusing 911 (calling for non-emergencies) can delay help for those who truly need it and may result in penalties.
  • Some communities offer alternative non-emergency numbers for situations that do not require immediate assistance.

If you are unsure whether your situation is an emergency, it is generally recommended to call 911 and let the dispatcher assess the situation.

Phone Texting