Your Phone's/Device's 911 Capabilities

What is your phone's/device's 911 capabilities? 

There are many types of phones and devices that can call and even text 911 but the information received by the dispatcher varies, depending on the device and the location. Always be prepared to give and confirm your location when calling or texting 911.

CELLPHONE and smart watches 

Cell phones and smart watches will display the phone number associated with the device, and some sort of location on the map which varies in accuracy based on technology of the cell tower that received the signal, and the device that transmitted the signal. Sometimes the location is spot on, sometimes it only gives the cell phone towers location. 

Android, iPhones and smart watches often have crash detection and emergency SOS features that have the potential to trigger false 911 calls. When these features are triggered an alarm may sound, and a countdown timer may appear on the phone to give the user the ability to cancel. If you don't cancel the countdown, the phone will call 911. Phone settings can be changed or turned on or off depending on the model; it is recommended you get to know how your device autodials 911. 

Cell Phones Without Service

Your old cell phones that have no service can still dial 911. When a 911 call comes in on one of these phones the display will give the cell tower location and a tracking number. Be prepared to give your location and understand that the dispatcher cannot call you back on that phone. 

Landlines 

Calls from landline phones will display the name the phone is registered to, address, phone number and a map of the location. Although this information comes up on a computer screen at the time of the call, you will be asked to verify the information. Calls from businesses with several offices and phone numbers often will not display the exact location or office that dialed 911.

Text to 911  - Call if you can, text if you can't

All 99 counties in Iowa are equipped to receive text to 911 from most cell phone carriers. Text to 911 is a great resource for deaf and hard of hearing callers. It can also be utilized if you have poor cell reception or if there is a danger of alerting someone that you are contacting 911. If that is the case, remember to silence your phone before texting 911.

When texting 911, send your location and what type of assistance you need, police, fire, or EMS. Text to 911 is new technology, location information may or may not be associated with a text to 911. To send a text message to 911, open your messaging app, click on new message and type 911 into the send to field. Never send a text to 911 to "test" if it will work. 

At this time photos and videos cannot be texted to 911 but Winnebago County dispatchers can text a link to your cell phone that will allow photos and videos to be sent to the dispatcher when necessary. 

VOIP

Voice over Internet Protocol or VOIP phones that use the internet to make the call vary depending on the service provider. Check with your provider to see how 911 will work for you. Remember to keep your address up to date with your provider. Even if your phone is able to call 911, the address that will display on the 911 screen will be the address you have registered to the account. If you move, your address will not necessarily change with you. Make sure your provider has your current information. When you are traveling with a VOIP phone your 911 call will ring in to the answering point of your address. For instance if you live in Forest City and travel to Florida, the 911 call will be answered in Forest City regardless of your location.

TDD Machines & Real Time Text

Winnebago County’s system can receive 911 calls from TDD Machines which are used by the hearing or speech impaired. Similar to an instant message chat box, the 911 system displays the text the caller is typing, as well as the text the dispatcher is typing back. TDD machines use a landline phone and will display the callers name, address and phone number the same way a voice landline call would display. Real Time Text is an option in the settings of most smartphones and allows callers the same ability to type their message to 911 as a TDD machine, this method, being the cellular version will not display the callers name and address, and the location may or may not be accurate.

911 FAQ

For more information on calling 911 click here