When you need the immediate response of Fire, Police or Ambulance

9-1-1 is a toll-free, easy to remember emergency telephone number which anyone in Albany County, may use to summon the IMMEDIATE RESPONSE of police, fire, or ambulance services. Albany County's service provides residents with up-to-date, state of the art systems.

When you dial 9-1-1 a trained telecommunicator will ask you about your emergency. The 9-1-1 telecommunicator will tell you to stay on the phone while he or she gathers important information.

DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE 9-1-1 TELECOMMUNICATOR INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO SO.

The vital pieces of information you will be asked to verify are:

• Your name
• Phone number
• Type of emergency
• Address of the emergency
  

For those residents who reside in apartment complexes and developments:

• The complex or apartment name
• Building name or number
• Apartment or unit number

This information should be posted by a phone for use by small children, a baby-sitter, or visitors to your home.

Please remain on the line and cooperate with the telecommunicator. Speak clearly and at all times remain as calm as possible.

REMEMBER: DO NOT HANG UP UNTIL THE TELECOMMUNICATOR INSTRUCTS YOU TO DO SO.

The information you provide is to verify information that appears on a computer screen in front of the telecommunicator. This information is extremely important. Even if you are unable to speak, with the information on the computer screen the telecommunicator will be able to send emergency help to you.

REMEMBER

Call 9-1-1 only when you need the immediate response of an emergency service. If you need to contact your local emergency service for non-emergency information, please use the administrative or non-emergency telephone number.

Other FAQ's about 9-1-1

When should I use 9-1-1?

You should use 911 when you need the IMMEDIATE RESPONSE of an emergency service.

When I call 9-1-1 for help who responds?

The 9-1-1 telecommunicator will make sure your call is dispatched to the appropriate public safety agency so that you will get the police, ambulance, or fire department you need from the department in your area.

Can I call 9-1-1 from my car phone?

Yes, you would dial exactly like you would on a normal phone.

 

What do I do if I can't get through to 9-1-1?

There are so many special lines to 9-1-1 that it would be highly unlikely for you to get a busy signal. If that should happen simply dial 9-1-1 again.

Can I call 9-1-1 from a phone that is part of a centrex or PBX system?

Yes, however, because these business systems include a large number of phones and frequently allow the relocation of phones and numbers from place to place, the 9-1-1 computers may not be able to determine the exact location from which a call is being placed.

Telecommunicators at the 9-1-1 answering points will be instructed to make sure they get all the necessary location information from callers using these kinds of systems.

How much will 9-1-1 cost me?

In Albany County, NY the cost for each phone line customer is $0.35 each month which will appear on your monthly phone bill.

Can I program my alarm system to automatically dial 9-1-1?

No, the telecommunicator needs to make voice contact with the caller.