Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow 911 WorksCan 911 Transfer Your Call?Tips for Faster 911 ResponseSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How 911 Works
Can 911 Transfer Your Call?
Tips for Faster 911 Response
Summary
When you call 911 for a loved one in a different state, the call you make goes toyour"local" emergency dispatch center. The dispatcher will locate the right emergency dispatch center the same way you would.
This article discusses how to make an emergency call for someone in another state, as well as how 911 works and ways to get a faster 911 response.
Emergency dispatch centers, referred to as public service answering points (PSAPs), are responsible for answering 911 calls and tending to the needs of those in their designated areas.
If you are calling 911 for a loved one in a different state, the call you make goes to your “local” PSAP. 911 knows what state you’re in because the nearest cell tower picks up the signal from your call.
The dispatcher who answers will likely try to help, but there is no guarantee that they will be able to do so effectively.
When you call 911, the call is automatically routed from a regional control center to the PSAP that handles calls in your specific geographical area.
When your call goes through, the dispatcher who answers is likely sitting in the same room as an intermediary who is communicating directly with localparamedics, firefighters, or law enforcement officers. In some cases, the dispatcher may be the only link between you and the local response team.
Common Misconceptions About 911
Can 911 Transfer Your Call to Another Area?
The 911 dispatcher in your area likely can’t simply “patch you through” to the correct PSAP in the other location. There is currently no intrastate system that works that way. Instead, the dispatcher will use the same tools that you do to find phone numbers in other states: the internet or telephone companies.
The dispatcher will:
Even though the local dispatcher may work as fast as possible, it may feel very long to you. As stressful as this can be, try to remain calm and patient, even if they have toplace you on hold.
Many PSAPs—especially those in large urban centers—have standard operating procedures for handling calls like these. In the end, they are more likely to get you connected faster if you cooperate with them.
One thing 911 centers have that you don’t have is a working relationship with telephone companies. This usually results in better cooperation and speedier transfers.
Why Some Older Phones Can’t Call 911
5 Tips for Faster 911 Response
If you find yourself having to call 911 for someone in a different city or state, there are five things you can do to get a faster response:
Plan Ahead
If you are concerned about a loved one in another city or state, call the police department in the town where they are and get the 10-digit number of their designated PSAP before there is an emergency. The PSAP number can also be found on the local law enforcement agency’s website.
If an emergency arises, call the 10-digit number instead of 911. It will connect you directly and enable a more immediate response. Be sure to have all of your loved one’s information on hand, such as:
Don’t Hang Up on Your Loved One
If you have Aunt Sally on the phone, and there’s another phone available, don’t tell Aunt Sally that you’ll call her back. Keep Aunt Sally on the line, inform her of what’s going on, and keep tabs on how she is doing.
Staying connected also allows you to get information about her location rather than having to look it up yourself. You can also pass onfirst aidinformation from the local 911 office while you are waiting to be transferred.
Know Where the Emergency Is Happening
The 911 dispatcher will be able to work faster if you provide the address of your loved one—including the city, state, and zip code—along with their telephone number(s). As simple as this may seem, people will often go blank during an emergency.
If Aunt Sally is unable to provide you with her address (and you don’t have it yourself), don’t panic. The 911 dispatcher still may be able to trace it using a database called the Automatic Number Identification/Automatic Location Identifier (ANI/ALI).
Call 911 From a Cell Phone
Many, but not all, PSAPs have upgraded their wire capabilities to facilitate this in accordance with requirements from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
Use the DistantEmergency App
Consider learning more about the DistantEmergency app for smartphones. With a paid subscription you can enter a distant address anywhere in the U.S. and find the 911 agency or other designated emergency dispatch agency covering that location.
You can also create a list of contacts in advance with exact locations to access if needed in the future.
How 911 Dispatchers Decide on an Appropriate Response
No one can plan for every emergency, and it’s not uncommon to be caught off guard when a loved one calls in distress over the phone. In such instances, it is important to remain as clear and calm as you can when you call 911.
If the dispatcher is overrun with calls (as can sometimes happen), they will be less able to set aside the time to help if you do not communicate the matter clearly, including thenature of the emergencyand the age and general health of your loved one.
By helping the dispatcher fully understand the urgency of the situation, they can prioritize your call even if the emergency is not in their location.
Where to Keep Medical Information for Emergencies
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.North Central Texas Emergency Communications District.How does location work for 911?911.gov.Frequently asked questions.Goebel M, Dameff C, Tully J.Hacking 9-1-1: infrastructure vulnerabilities and attack vectors.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(7):e14383. doi:10.2196/14383Federal Communications Commission.Indoor location accuracy timeline and live call data reporting template.DistantEmergency.How it works.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.North Central Texas Emergency Communications District.How does location work for 911?911.gov.Frequently asked questions.Goebel M, Dameff C, Tully J.Hacking 9-1-1: infrastructure vulnerabilities and attack vectors.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(7):e14383. doi:10.2196/14383Federal Communications Commission.Indoor location accuracy timeline and live call data reporting template.DistantEmergency.How it works.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
North Central Texas Emergency Communications District.How does location work for 911?911.gov.Frequently asked questions.Goebel M, Dameff C, Tully J.Hacking 9-1-1: infrastructure vulnerabilities and attack vectors.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(7):e14383. doi:10.2196/14383Federal Communications Commission.Indoor location accuracy timeline and live call data reporting template.DistantEmergency.How it works.
North Central Texas Emergency Communications District.How does location work for 911?
911.gov.Frequently asked questions.
Goebel M, Dameff C, Tully J.Hacking 9-1-1: infrastructure vulnerabilities and attack vectors.J Med Internet Res. 2019;21(7):e14383. doi:10.2196/14383
Federal Communications Commission.Indoor location accuracy timeline and live call data reporting template.
DistantEmergency.How it works.
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