911 should only be called in an emergency
If you need police, fire or emergency medical services, that’s the time to dial 911. You shouldn’t call 911 if your dog is lost or you need help cooking the Thanksgiving turkey.
Never hang up if you dial 911 by mistake! Instead, stay on the line and explain to the call taker that you dialed 911 by accident.
When calling 911, remain calm
Speak clearly and follow any instructions the call taker may give. The call taker will confirm your name, address and the phone number from which you are calling. Do not hang up until the call taker tells you it’s o.k. to hang up.
Know where you are
When you call 911, the call taker will ask you what type of emergency for which you are calling and the location of the emergency. It’s always good to be aware of your surroundings, in case the need to call for help arises.
In many 911 emergencies, the call taker will ask you to describe either the people or the vehicles involved in the emergency.
Give a good description
When describing a person, start at the top of the head and work your way down:
- What is the race and gender of the person?
- How tall is/was the person?
- What is/was the person’s hair color?
- What is/was the person wearing?
- Did/does the person have any facial hair or anything that stands out?
When describing a vehicle, the call taker will ask for the following information:
- Color
- Make of vehicle
- Year of vehicle (or approximation)
- Body style
- Additional description
- License plate on vehicle
Smart 911
Be prepared for any emergency by giving public safety the information they need to better help and communicate with you. Enter critical access and functional needs information before an emergency, so 911 dispatchers have it during one.
Text to 911
If you need emergency assistance, it’s always preferred that you call 911. All 99 Iowa counties are now text-to-911 capable, so if you are in a situation where you can't call, then you can text 911 for help.
Can an inactive phone call 911?
You may have an old phone laying around at home, maybe your kids use it as a “play phone”. Those old phones can still call 911. As long as the phone is charged and turned on a call can be placed to 911. Though an inactive phone does not provide a location or call back number.
If your kids use a real phone as a play phone make sure they know not to dial 911 as a joke or during playtime. If an accidental call is made, stay on the line and let the dispatcher know what has happened.
HSEM 911 Products
- 911 Public Service Announcements (YouTube)
- Brochure: A Guide to 911
- Brochure: A Guide to 911 En Español