When Dialing 9-1-1 from Your Cell Phone
Call only for immediate emergency assistance—medical, fire, or police.
Be prepared to provide your location and any essential information the 9-1-1 operator may need.
Stay on the line until told to hang up. You may be transferred to another agency.
Active Cell Phones:
Be sure to give the call taker your phone number right away in case the call is dropped so the 9-1-1 operator can call you back.
With most cell phones your location can be tracked.
Inactive Cell Phones without a Service Plan
Even cell phones without active service can dial 9-1-1. Take batteries out of cell phones before recycling them or giving them to a child to play with. As long as the phone will hold an electrical charge, it can be used to dial 9-1-1.
Give your location right away. 9-1-1 does not receive location information from phones that do not have service.
Call back if you are disconnected. 9-1-1 will not be able to call you back.
Pre-paid Minutes Cell Phones
Give your location right away. With some phone models or minute plans, 9-1-1 does not receive location information.
Next tell the 9-1-1 operator what type of help you need.
If you run out of minutes during a 9-1-1 call, the call will end. 9-1-1 cannot call you back.
HELP AVOID ACCIDENTAL CALLS WITH THE FOLLOWING TIPS:
Do not hang up on an accidental 9-1-1 call. Inform the 9-1-1 operator that the call was an accident before you hang up.
Do not pre-program 9-1-1 into your or your child's cell phone's speed dial. This can lead to accidental calls.
Teach young children how and when to dial 9-1-1 from a cell phone. Train them to press 9-1-1 and the “send” button only in an emergency.
Lock it! Please lock your cellphone key pad before placing it in your purse or pocket.
Text-to-9-1-1 is now available in Potter and Randall Counties
When an emergency occurs, calling 9-1-1 isn’t always an option. Residents in Potter and Randall counties can now send text messages to 9-1-1. Text-to-9-1-1 provides accessibility to the hearing and speech-impaired population and provides an alternative to reach help in a dangerous situation when a voice call is not possible or where a voice call fails due to a high-volume of activity. We are pleased that this service is now available however; The Potter Randall 9-1-1 Emergency Communications District asks that you
“Call If You Can, Text If You Can’t.” How to text-to-9-1-1 in an emergency
Enter the numbers “911” in the “To” field
The first text message to 9-1-1 should be brief and contain the location of the emergency and type of help needed (Police, Fire, Medical)
Push the “Send” button
Be prepared to answer questions and follow instructions from the 9-1-1 call taker
Text in simple words – do not use abbreviations or slang
Keep the text message brief and concise
When to text 9-1-1
If you are deaf or hard of hearing, speech impaired, or non-verbal
When making a voice call could put you in danger
If you are injured and cannot speak
If you are in a remote location and can only send text messages
What you should know
Photos and videos cannot be sent to 9-1-1 at this time Text-to-9-1-1 will only work in SMS format. Your device must have a text or a data plan. A “group text” will cause your message to 9-1-1 not to go through. Do not send your emergency text to anyone other than 9-1-1. Do not use emoticons or other symbols and do not use abbreviations or acronyms You may receive a “bounce back” message similar to following “ Text to 9-1-1 is not available please make a voice call” if a network provider is experiencing technical difficulties, your device is not supported, or you have traveled to an area where Text-to-9-1-1 is not supported. Currently this ser vice is available to all citizens and visitors to Potter and Randall Counties, including the cities of Amarillo and Canyon. Please do not text and drive